Shared garden wall damaged by plant

Jellynailer

Contact your council's building control re potentially dangerous wall.  They may be able to help or advise. + do not rip off any ivy.as this could add to the damage (in my past experience). 

FreeBear

That wall is in imminent risk of collapse. A good gust of wind, and the top 600mm or so will come crashing down.
Removing the budlia, ivy, and top 500-600mm of brickwork is needed, and it needs doing as soon as possible.

Grenage

As everyone has already said, cut out all away, but take care and don't do it from the side it's leaning. 

Even with the plants gone, that wall needs rebuilding.

Jellynailer

I am really concerned that no removal of the vegetation should be done until the owner of the nuisance is located. To do otherwise would be to land the victim of the nuisance with significant costs.

Land Registry Search online will reveal the owner's name; then try 192.com or 118 service.

The local Council may have better search abilities. Maybe it has an empty homes policy or surely the neighbour must be on Council tax records. It might be best to seek help from a ward councillor

What I do know from my experience is that Building Control has to inspect if a dangerous structure is reported. This was the route to resolving my similar problem 14 years ago but I had to call them in last year to the empty property next door when tiles fell off its porch roof.

NoisyGiraffe

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. You have reassured me that my gut instinct is right - it needs to be made safe asap. I’ll follow the advice in trying to find the owner next door, but at the same time going to try and sort the wall itself - I’d be surprised if they have an issue with us ensuring that my nan is safe while putting her bins out! 

On the building control advice - I checked our councils website and they say they’ll check dangerous structures/walls at risk of imminent collapse if they are a danger to the public. I’m probably being dense here, but does this mean it applies only to public spaces where a random member of the public may be hurt, or would it also apply to our situation here?

NoisyGiraffe

Quick update - I’ve managed to get some details from the land registry. It’s owned by a property development company and I’ve found an address through companies house so I can write to them. Will get on with that today. 

Jellynailer

It is stlll worth seeking help from Ward Councillor for name and address and maybe help with Building control - both in reference to your gran, children of visitors, the bin collectors, meter reader, workmen for the wall, unblocking drains.  Another option is to raise your problem with your great photos in you local press to ask for the public's help to trace the absent owner. 

I hope, if you proceed with DIY, you do it from your neighbours side.  Best wishes for a safe resolution.