I think I'm being scammed

keeer

I'm a new home owner and prior to buying this house I got a full survey done which did NOT mention any issues with the roof (this is relevant as I never wanted this work done).

Today my neighbour told my wife and I that her roofer had accidently done repair work to my roof and hers (lets say we're 2, she's 4 and her neighbour is 6), the intention was to repair 4 and 6 and he's done 4 and 2. We've been told that he said the work was needed and he has photos and that we should pay up.

We don't want to cause any tension between us and our neighbour, but we're pretty sure this is firstly a scam, secondly illegal and thirdly we have absolutely no intention of paying up for work we didn't request. What's the best thing to do in this situation? I'm concerned that the roofer will intentionally damage the roof (if he hasn't already - apparently the guy has photos, what kind of a workman takes photos before doing anything... Very dodgy).

Thoughts anyone? Any similar scams or actions taken? Is it too early for the police? Should I buy a security camera?

Voyager2002

Did your pre-purchase survey involve an inspection of the roof?

Have you seen the photos that (supposedly) show your roof in need of repair?

Personally, what I would do is get copies of the photos and send them to my surveyor, asking why they failed to notice the condition of the roof.

FreeBear

keeer wrote: »

I'm concerned that the roofer will intentionally damage the roof (if he hasn't already - apparently the guy has photos, what kind of a workman takes photos before doing anything... Very dodgy).

If this "roofer" comes back and damages your roof, get the police involved - It will be criminal damage, and if he is party to a scam, they can add fraud to the list of charges.

VoucherMan

keeer wrote: »

what kind of a workman takes photos before doing anything... Very dodgy

Thoughts anyone?

Quite a few I'd imagine.

workman wrote:

Would you like to pop up on to the roof and see the problem for yourself?

workman wrote:

I've taken some photos for you so that you can see the problem

I know which option I'd pick.

keeer

Cheers guys, I can see my roof well enough from the ground - it looks fine. I like the idea of talking to the surveyor though! I've not seen any pictures at all yet, due to speak to my neighbour later this week.

ST1991

Although you are worried about upsetting your neighbour, how would you feel if you were them? I assume they are the one that feels awkward... especially as i imagine they did not ask the builder to complete any work on your roof.

How long ago did you purchase the house? I'd be tempted to ask for photos from the roofer and contact the surveyor with those photos to ask if:
a. he remembers it looking like that, and
b. if it did look like that, would it have been flagged or is it actually ok.

I'm stubborn, so regardless of upsetting neighbours i would NOT pay the builder. I did not ask him to complete the work, i do not have a contract with him. I don't even know how much he wants me to pay! That is his fault...

Mr.Generous

no chance I'd pay, roofers problem, he did the wrong house. Just say awfully sorry, not interested but I wish he hadn't trespassed on my roof.

keeer

OK, I think you're right. I'm not entirely sure this isn't a scam at the moment, but in either case i'm not going to pay.

Plumber90

Neither you or the neighbour should pay, the roofer made the mistake so it's his problem.

greenface

T
Think you're doing the right thing . They know you have just moved in . You can deflect it from you to your surveyor if you t
Think it will keep the peace . Ask for the pics to send to your full structural survey our to compare his pictures .

david1951

Scam or no scam, the action you should take is the same - don't pay!

I think you need to investigate to determine if the work (if it happened) did actually repair the roof. Someone that is incompetent enough to get the wrong roof may well have done a shoddy job.

If anything you need to be asking them to put the roof back to how it was, and suing them for the cost of this if they decline.