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Shared chimney

My property shares a chimney with a neighbour.

I’ve received a message from them stating they have damp in their bedroom and a roofer has advised that it’s coming from the centre of the chimney.

They had some repointing work done on their side a few years ago as they had damp in the property and say it had been fine until recently.

I have no issues in my property on either the walls or chimney (internally).

It’s too dark to get a good look at the chimney at the minute, and I am planning to get someone out to take a look.

My question is, I understand it’s a shared chimney, yet who is responsible for fixing this if the issues are in their property?

I have not been told as yet how the damp is getting into their bedroom.

Would it not be that the point at which water is entering the property must be from their side rather than mine?
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Comments

  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Jennabob wrote: »
    My question is, I understand it’s a shared chimney, yet who is responsible for fixing this if the issues are in their property?
    Both of you are jointly responsible for the chimney.

    It doesn't make a difference which way any moisture ingress then tracks and emerges.
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 30 October 2019 at 2:26AM
    As Adrian says, water has no respect for boundaries and tracks to where it wants to go. If the water is getting in from the top of the chimney through defective flaunching, then you are responsible, together with the neighbour, for getting it fixed.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Shared chimney, shared responsibility.


    Get your own roofer up to take a lookand determine what needs doing - it might differfrom their builder's opinion or price. But either way you share the cost.


    Alternative view is to leave it all to them and insist in a Party Wall Notice but that will lead to legalistic disputes and terrible neighbour relations going forwards.
  • Jennabob
    Jennabob Posts: 16 Forumite
    10 Posts First Anniversary
    Thank you for the replies. We’ve not discussed in person as yet so wanted to know before we did.

    Does anyone have any idea of likely costs?
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Let's see.


    1) loose bit of lead flashing. Man on ladder. 30minutes + lead. £50?


    2) cracked brickwork beyond repair. Demolish and rebuild. Scaffolding. 2 weeks. £5000.


    Or somewhere in between.
  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hold on to the ladder, I'm just going to lean over a bit to get a better look.
  • Mickygg
    Mickygg Posts: 1,737 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Jennabob wrote: »
    Thank you for the replies. We’ve not discussed in person as yet so wanted to know before we did.

    Does anyone have any idea of likely costs?

    Really??? Only because I have to use 10 characters.....really?
  • Jennabob
    Jennabob Posts: 16 Forumite
    10 Posts First Anniversary
    Useful, thank you. Was only after some approximate costs and wanted a bit more info before I spoke to them.
  • Jennabob
    Jennabob Posts: 16 Forumite
    10 Posts First Anniversary
    I can’t quote sorry.

    Thank you for the helpful responses, I understand no one can see it to give a more accurate price.

    I was more after some general prices for flashing, repointing etc but I see this must have been a ridiculous thing to ask given some replies.
  • MysteryMe
    MysteryMe Posts: 3,473 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    When you get your quote you could always post the details on here

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=94
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