Neighbour Dispute DIY building damage

CDL1994

Hi there,

I live in an end terrace house. Recently my brother in law , whos a trained joiner, and I have been doing some work in my hallway. All we have done is remove the stair banister and newel posts and replaced them with new ones. My hallway is next to my neighbours on the adjoining party wall. Please note no-one has touched or went near the wall.

My neighbour today informed me he plans to claim against my home insurance as our "heavy demolition work and banging" have caused his coving to crack and his "radiator rattling". He showed me pictures of the damage and its two small hairline cracks in the plaster coving or paint. Only small hand tools such as claw hammers and multi tools were used to cut and remove nails so i find it extremely unlikely that these have caused extensive vibrations through the wall enough to crack anything seeing as there is not a single sign of damage to my side.

Bare in mind our properties were built in the 60s, allegedly he has had no problems in the 8 years he has lived there until I moved in 3 years ago. He admitted his knowledge that my property required atleast £20,000 worth of renovating when I purchased it so he can't deny knowing building work was required.

I am in need of advice here as I am a young first time home owner and feel targeted and intimidated by my neighbour taking advantage of my lack of knowledge and connections.

What can I expect to happen? He says he has contacted insurance provider to send someone to come inspect. I'm quite happy for this as I feel it is totally unnecessary. We have not violated any building codes in Scotland, none of the work requires planning permission or structural surveyor as far as we are aware so what is the point?

huckster

Nothing will happen. Your neighbour is porobably trying it on or just mistaken. Cracks in coving are normal and just maintenance work. Probably nothing to do with vibrations coming from work in your house.

Just tell the neighbour that you will not be speaking to them about this again, as there is no issue to discuss. No work took place in your house that would be any concern to neighbours.

Speak to your Home Insurers claims department, not to report a claim, but to seek advice. They will tell you to pass to them any correspondence from the neighbour and they will deal with it as a possible liability claim. Most likely your Insurers will write to your neighbour denying any liability.

Reardoa

Sadly this happens a lot where people try and claim for pre-existing damage. Huckster is quite right in my opinion. For any future work Id suggest undertaking a schedule of dilapidation and making notes of any existing damage. Not always easy mind you unless your neighbours are happy to let you in beforehand.