When to request council fix neighbouring property

note3

Hi all, we're working towards exchange on a house which is joined by extension to next door (owned by council). The extension is a flat roof and has a leak. It's not a major issue as it is a store room and not therefore leaking into main house.

I was thinking I should contact council to request they fund half the fee to fix roof at the point that we exchange contracts??

The reason we both need to apparently chip in is the extension is a bit like a jigsaw piece (each have one large room and two small slotted into each other within the extension) so no straight ownership boundary.

Was thinking that way we can get it fixed with less delay than if wait til completion?

eddddy

In your position, I would get the seller to get this moving.

i.e. Tell them that you need written confirmation from the council that they agree to pay half the cost (or whatever) before you can exchange contracts.


(Or is there some kind of legally enforceable agreement that says the council will pay half the cost of repairing the roof? If not, what will you do if they refuse? Will you pay the full amount?)

note3

Thanks, the difficulty lies in the property we're buying being sold via probate. There's no clear seller as the executors have instructed a big corporate company to oversee the sale.

Due to this we offered in the knowledge that we could have to foot the cost ourselves (flat roof is approx the width of a single garage and the length of two garages)

Mr.Generous

If it just needs a coat of bitumen I'd just do it, less painful than trying to get some action from the council.

note3

Haha you can tell I know nothing about flat roofs as I didn't even think about it just needing a recoat. I did check online for quote ideas and saw worst case scenario was we foot approx £3k cost (likely to be less) but your suggestion would be fantastic as cheaper still! Once contracts signed I'll get some quotes form specialists. If council end up refunding it'll be a bonus

EachPenny

note3 wrote: »

If council end up refunding it'll be a bonus

It is probably unlikely you'll get the council to refund you for any work you decide to do on their property.

It all depends on the attitude of the council involved. Many are very good at maintenance since they see their properties as assets that have to be maintained well to avoid higher future maintenance costs. Other councils aren't as good.

If you will be dealing with a council with the former attitude then it would be best to get them involved in the repair from the outset.

If the latter type of council then you might want to rethink your purchase. If you cannot get them to fix a roof leak quickly, then what will happen if a more substantial repair is required in the future?

eddddy

Also, bear in mind that you shouldn't do anything to the council's bit of the roof without their consent.

And if there are future problems with their part of the roof, the council may say it's you/your roofer that caused the problem - and expect you to pay for repairs.

So it could get messy.

ProDave

Felt and bitumen is a lousy roof, it will need doing again in 15 years.

Bite the bullet and pay yourself for a fibreglass roof, it should never need doing again. Get an estimate and negotiate the house price.

Mr.Generous

ProDave wrote: »

Felt and bitumen is a lousy roof, it will need doing again in 15 years.

Bite the bullet and pay yourself for a fibreglass roof, it should never need doing again. Get an estimate and negotiate the house price.

A lot of council properties have a thick concrete roof, its solid and has no felt. We find when renovating a bitumen coat on the roof - and then essentially add guttering. The damp is so often coming in because the flat roof parts just drain down the brick and they are often single skinned.

We have seen moss covered walls dry up and the moss and lichen fall off after only about a month once gutters are added.

Is it the thick slab concrete type flat roof?

note3

Mr.Generous wrote: »

A lot of council properties have a thick concrete roof, its solid and has no felt. We find when renovating a bitumen coat on the roof - and then essentially add guttering. The damp is so often coming in because the flat roof parts just drain down the brick and they are often single skinned.

We have seen moss covered walls dry up and the moss and lichen fall off after only about a month once gutters are added.

Is it the thick slab concrete type flat roof?

I've just had a look at the pics and it's not completely clear, but seems there's only partial guttering on that bit so we will definitely look into this.

It is bitumen from what I can see. If it's thick slab concrete I'm guessing it wouldn't then have a bitumen top as I can definitely see the grey gravely material in the pic

Cakeguts

You are working towards exchange on a house where you already know that the owner the council is not good at doing repairs? Why? Can't you find a house where the next door neighbour keeps their house in good order there must be some around?

Is this house in the middle of a council estate owned by the same council which is bad at doing maintenance? I wouldn't buy it if it was the cheapest house on earth you are letting yourself in for a lot of hassle.