CHIMNEY BREASTS REMOVAL

stuart45

I am just looking to see if there is any way to establish when the downstairs chimney breasts may of been removed, ie; forensic structural surveyors, carbon test etc.

I'm not aware of any tests of that can be done to date a chimney breast removal, as it's not something that's normally required. 

Doozergirl

So the freeholder also lives downstairs?  

Have you tried speaking to the Leasehold Advisory Service? https://www.lease-advice.org/

I think your issue is a current breach of lease, it doesn't matter who removed the chimney breast or when if the lease affords you the right of support and protection now.  

Bendy_House

RexiRoo said:

Thanks - the property has been in my ownership for 30 years and the survey we had undertaken was for the flat in question and nothing was flagged up - this all pertains to actions on a ground floor flat that we have no control on and would not have undertaken a survey for a separate demise.

Have engaged two structural surveyors to look at it, once we were aware this year on how serious this was, the valuation office have deemed it unfit, likewise the two structural surveyors - in short we have over 10 tonnes of unsupported chimney breasts sitting on joist with no correct support.  We are unable to support the above as we would need access to downstairs and the downstairs flat would need to be vacated.  The current owner/tenant have no desire to do the same.

I am just looking to see if there is any way to establish when the downstairs chimney breasts may of been removed, ie; forensic structural surveyors, carbon test etc.

Sorry, RR - I was being flippant.

But, you've owned the property for 30 years, with 10 tonnes of unsupported chimney, and yet nothing has happened to it. That's not to say it's safe, of course - you do need to have it sorted.

But, expecting to find the individual responsible and then holding them to financial account? Infinitesimal. All they'd have to say - should you even trace them - is "I know nothing.", and the onus would be on you to prove otherwise.

What - honestly - are the chances?

If, meanwhile, it does fall down, then all you'll have is a hole in your floor - it's the flat below that'll suffer.

Sorry, flippant again :-(