Party Wall / Shared Roof advice (Scotland)

dennishopper

Have recently purchased a property that is dire need of roof, chimney and wall (roughcasting) work. This is all shared with one other neighbour below. I didn’t want to just move in and look to do improvements however they truly are essential, or at least some aspects having had many persons round to assess. The neighbour is wholly ignoring me, which is odd having reached out via knocks and friendly letters which I know will have been heard and received. I suspect they will be aware that maintenance is essential. Previous owners have told me that they have always had issues when dealing with the neighbour re. shared space and costs, not necessarily owing to a lack of funds. I’m maybe jumping the gun here however the fact is 2 months on I have not been able to contact them despite my very friendly efforts, and knowing they are at home. The urgent and essential repairs include leaks and guttering issues which I am proceeding to fix on my own. I’ll take a note of what’s being done and hold on to the roofers receipt. There is much larger essential work such as on the chimneys and the party walls that will require scaffolding etc down the line. It really is pressing and I don’t want to harass, but at the same time the fact my good neighboured efforts to reach out just to say hello and touch base have fallen flat, is very stressful. I’m not sure how to proceed and although there is a process which I must respect, some of the maintenance on the shared roof, chimneys and walls is essential for the longevity of both of our properties. The previous owner hinted that the neighbours may be looking to sell soon (that was a guess, they had a bad relationship over shared grounds), although if that’s the case and knowing the market, that will be sometime away. I don’t know where to start and how to go about this. Any insight or direction would be very much appreciated,

MovingForwards

How you read any of the online guides about how to arrange repairs, notice, estimates, doing the work and recovering the money?

dennishopper

Yes just there, albeit some of the advice confusing and conflicting! I guess the next step is to send a letter, maybe recorded delivery outlining what needs done and who is doing it in regards to the really pressing stuff such as leaks?

MovingForwards

When I read through loads of links, it did kinda make sense, now I've tried to find them again to help you I can't find them (must have used different search terms or clicked through one topic to another).

There is a member who seems pretty clued up on how things work up here, but I haven't sussed out how to tag people!

Just went back to basics:
- the shelter site - paying for common repairs
- the gov.scot site - rights and responsibilities
- underonedoof - enforcing repairs (has template letters)

I'm assuming you have gone through your deeds again to check it is shared repair costs?

dennishopper

MovingForwards wrote: »

When I read through loads of links, it did kinda make sense, now I've tried to find them again to help you I can't find them (must have used different search terms or clicked through one topic to another).

There is a member who seems pretty clued up on how things work up here, but I haven't sussed out how to tag people!

I'm assuming you have gone through your deeds again to check it is shared repair costs?

I have indeed, very much shared! Beyond sending a letter to the neighbour, outlining what I am doing, and keeping a receipt and note of the immediate and essential repairs, is their anything else I should do now? Hopefully down the line I’ll be able to figure out the best course of action, or will eventually receive some kind of communication from said neighbour

missile

Perhaps you ought to have considered this before purchasing the property? Your solicitor ought to have advised you before purchasing.

I hope you have a report from a suitably qualified person who has inspected and deemed this work to be "essential" maintenance?

Do you have a factor?

You may find neighbour will pay up on receipt of a solicitors letter.

Alternatively go to court. Small claims is fairly easy to DIY.

Your solicitor can arrange a restriction to ensure neighbour cannot sell without arranging payment for "essential" communal repairs.

Good luck, enjoy your new home.

dennishopper

missile wrote: »

Perhaps you ought to have considered this before purchasing the property? Your solicitor ought to have advised you before purchasing.

I hope you have a report from a suitably qualified person who has inspected and deemed this work to be "essential" maintenance?

Do you have a factor?

You may find neighbour will pay up on receipt of a solicitors letter.

Alternatively go to court. Small claims is fairly easy to DIY.

Your solicitor can arrange a restriction to ensure neighbour cannot sell without arranging payment for "essential" communal repairs.

Good luck, enjoy your new home.

Firstly, thank you!

When purchasing I was aware of the work that was needed done, however did not realise there was two small pressing leaks and a few tiles missing.

I have had two different professionals who have came to the same conciliation, I told the better of the two imo to repair the urgent roof and guttering issues only, larger tasks like repairing skew stones etc I have told to leave.

We don’t have a factor, just the two of us in an old building.

What is the rough cost in getting a solicitor to reach out to them, down the line if it goes in that direction?

Thanks again for your direction.