Chunks of Neighbour's Render on My Roof - Any Advice?

tcx71

After the recent storms over the Christmas period I found some large (6" or so) chunks of cement render on my roof that originated from a 1ft high section of neighbour's wall. This is the 1ft section of wall where my terraced house roof meets his wall and spans 1ft up to his roof line and below his chimney. There appears to be no damage to my artificial slates but does have me wondering what the best course of action is to cover my position if any future damage does occur. Looking at Party Wall information on web it seems to be a Type B so the exposed section of his wall would be his responsibilty. My house was built in 80s and abutts to his much older stone house. I think insurance would cover any one off damage due to storm event but if shown to be due to lack of maintenance of that exposed wall insurance may not pay out and I guess I would have to chase him for repair bill costs. Also of concern if his chimney which may also shed material in future.

I am considering writing to him via recorded mail (have argued in past so don't get on) detailing the deteriorating render on the exposed wall and advising that he needs to undertake repairs at some point and maybe also advise him that I would seek redress if any damage to my roof occurs. I could also print out the photos I have taken and enclose them.

But might want to sell in near future so don't want kick off anything that must be divulged on PIF or that might come up on a solicitor's search.

Photo below, any advice appreciated.

anselld

Extremely unlikely to sustain damage from render falling a height of 1ft.
Not worth going into writing for imho.

princeofpounds

Assuming that he is entirely responsible for the relevant parts:

Just write to advise him that some render fell off and to suggest that he takes a look at it and the condition of the chimney. This isn't a dispute, it's a friendly pointer.

You don't really need to remind him of his liability - you just need to have a record that he was made aware of the problem so any further deterioration would be due to his negligence and that would make liability clear. 

I wouldn't worry about insurers. Lack of maintenance is only an issue if it was your own lack of maintenance - not the negligence of a third party that causes damage to your property. If he doesn't pay up himself, you claim on your insurance, they can then choose to either claim from his insurer or chase him directly if his insurer won't cover it. 

Then just forget about it all unless something further happens. As anselld says, significant damage is very unlikely, short of the chimney collapsing (and that doesn't look likely).

AdrianC

princeofpounds said:

Just write to advise him that some render fell off and to suggest that he takes a look at it and the condition of the chimney. This isn't a dispute, it's a friendly pointer.

My idea of a "friendly pointer" to my neighbour wouldn't be writing, it'd be more along the lines of...
<knock, knock, stand back from the door because covid>
"Hi, Dave... Did you know that your roof had shed a bit of mortar? No, no damage my side, but you might want to get somebody to have a look... Yeh, I've got a ladder you can borrow... No, nor me. Wise. Oh, and HNY, mate."

theoretica

On the plus side it looks like there isn't much more render left to fall.

FreeBear

AdrianC said: My idea of a "friendly pointer" to my neighbour wouldn't be writing, it'd be more along the lines of...
<knock, knock, stand back from the door because covid>
"Hi, Dave... Did you know that your roof had shed a bit of mortar? No, no damage my side, but you might want to get somebody to have a look... Yeh, I've got a ladder you can borrow... No, nor me. Wise. Oh, and HNY, mate."

Add to that - "You also have some weeds growing out of the brickwork on the chimney stack. Might be worth getting it repointed while someone is up there".

A friendly word is far more likely to get a favourable response that a note shoved through the letterbox.

princeofpounds

AdrianC said:

princeofpounds said:

Just write to advise him that some render fell off and to suggest that he takes a look at it and the condition of the chimney. This isn't a dispute, it's a friendly pointer.

My idea of a "friendly pointer" to my neighbour wouldn't be writing, it'd be more along the lines of...
<knock, knock, stand back from the door because covid>
"Hi, Dave... Did you know that your roof had shed a bit of mortar? No, no damage my side, but you might want to get somebody to have a look... Yeh, I've got a ladder you can borrow... No, nor me. Wise. Oh, and HNY, mate."

It's a fair point, but the OP notes in their original post that they would prefer to write [rather than speak, by implication] to the neighbour because 'they don't get on'. I chose not to question that. Also, writing creates a paper trail which would be necessary in order to evidence liability in future.

But yes, if they can repair their relationship as well as the chimney, then great.

tcx71

Thanks for the advice and opinions. Appreciated.