Cannot fix my house while neighbours is derelict (semi detached)

littlerock

In the summer my elderly hoarding neighbours managed to burn down their house which is semi detached, halls adjoining to mine. They are big houses and theirs has lost its top floor and roof entirely. There is a flying tin roof protecting my party wall from the worst of the damage but my house is unliveable in while it dries out from all the water damage. It was their negligence which caused the fire and my insurer is suing theirs.

My walls are drying out and my surveyor has prepared a schedule of remedial work - pretty substantial - which we are about to submit to my insurers loss adjusters. It is registered as a major claim and I have unlimited buildings jnsurance. The issue is there is no sign of anything happening next door. The remains of their house is a smelly boarded up relic. I have mice in my house now and a fox living in my back garden. I cannot redecorate and repair the party wall side of my house when there is mostly no house on the other side. Or repair the roof with nothing to connect it to.

Next doors insurers say they are negotiating with the local council over what would an acceptable repair - as we live in a conservation area, this has to take place. But nothing is happening and their insurer will not give me an update as I am not the owner. The iwners, in their 90s, are in a care home and suffer from dementia. They have two estranged sons. So no use there.

Up till now I have been waiting for my walls to dry out but soon I will want to start repairs. Where should I start to put pressure on for something to happen next door?

General_Applause

Maybe a little radical but, as most of next door has gone, can't you lose a little of your house and turn yours into a detached?

tonyh66

Leave it to your insurers to sort out, I assume you have legal cover? and a claim manager. End of the day, the house next door might be unrepairable. There is a house in Inverness, which burnt down 15 years ago and is still derilect.

melanzana

Are you actually living in an uninhabitable house due to the negligence/accidental fire next door?

If yes, surely the insurers are obliged to source alternative accommodation for you during the negotiations and loss adjusting period? I would chase this up pronto. You cannot live in a damp house over the Winter surely?

But maybe you are somewhere else. The insurers would pay for your accommodation.

I am sorry you are going through this, through no fault of your own. Wish you the best.

G_M

Well clearly you can't put pressure on the owners.
You can't put pressure on the owners' insurers - you're not their client.
Councils are notoriously slow - especially where a CA is concerned, but it might be worth contacting either the Conservation Officer and/or your local councillor.
The estranged sons? You'd think they'd want it fixed unless they've been disinheritted........

getmore4less

Who has POA for the owners?

Mistral001

This is not an unusual case. Fires happen in semi detached houses and when they do it usually affects next door.

As has been said your complaints should be directed towards your own insurers. Have they said they will pay for alternative accommodation while the problem is being sorted out? Alternative accommodation might not be offered under your policy so reading your policy document might prove helpful, just to see exactly what you can claim for.

Norman_Castle

Try electric fans to speed the drying. They will make a noticeable difference and only use about 20 watts.

littlerock

I am in alternative accommodation but the insurers will not pay out indefinitely. I want to start things moving on my own repairs but cannot do while next door remains half
destroyed and it is not clear who can get things moving.
.

tonyh66

Have your insurers agreed a price for your repairs? and paid out? Nothing stopping you doing repairs next door might be ruined for years.