Neighbours Contractor damage to my property

Floopy2009

Hi all,

Just some quick advice would be appriciated. I am in a terrace house and next door are having new rendering. When they have been chipping off the rendering they have taken some off my side which has left and reasonable size hole. The only reason i noticed this straight away as most of the debris was in my yard on the floor when i went out to take the rubbish. Now the location where this is was near the guttering at the top and it was showing signs of cracking.

They might repair it before the job is finished but they have started putting the first coat on to the bricks and left that area, and i am wondering whether there just going to sneak off without doing it and hope i dont see it.

Obviously i dont want to be kicking off with the neighbours as i have a good relationship with them and its not their fault.

Is it case i let the neighbours know or speak to the builders or contact the company direct. What if they fob me off and say well it was blown so would eventually fallen off do i then go to my home insurance.

Just be interesting to see peoples opinions of this

Thanks

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6663335/neighbours-contractor-damage-to-my-property

why would you need to kick off at your neighbour. Just pop round and have a civil conversation about your concerns?
It is very much their problem if the contractor they have hired has damaged your home.

Jemma01

I don't understand the need for speculation about their response. The neighbours generally don't want to cause inconvenience, nor do contractors. The default is ppl generally want to be helpful.

Speak to the neighbour nicely and tell them to please ask the contractor to repair the damage caused to your property. The neighbour won't be paying any extra.

WIAWSNB

I'd have expected them to have run an angle grinder down the boundary line, to completely separate your two properties - did they not do this?

You say that there were some cracks in that area, so it might be that this situation isn't as straightforward to sort as you hope, but I'd expect them to make good any damage as best they can.

If your render is in poor condition and loose in places, then it would be near-impossible for them to go anywhere near it without some damage being caused. But I'd still expect them to patch it up as best they can. Is your render ok? Generally firmly attached.

Do you have Legal Protection on your house insurance?

Floopy2009

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81955709#Comment_81955709

Please attached pic of damage. I am not sure what they used to remove as was working at the time. With regards legal protection, yes i have that included.

WIAWSNB

How much of that lower crack was present before they started work?

It does look as tho' they either created a lot of impact in that area which loosened that whole strip of your wall, or your wall was cracked and loose to begin with, and for parts to fall away was almost inevitable.

Do you know which?

It is very disappointing that they haven't approached you about this, tho', which might suggest they consider your wall was cracked and loose to begin with, but it's still very poor form.

Really, to patch up that whole loose strip should be less than one hour's work for them (tho' they'd likely leave the painting for you to do), and the heavy texture will make it a doddle to blend in, so next to no cost or inconvenience to them. This is what 'good' builders do, those with integrity and good customer relations.

They must know that having such extensive work carried out on a house must negatively affect their neighbours to some degree - noise, dust, parking, bad radio music - so to have offered to sort this would have been a considerate act. To ignore is ignoble.

What to do? Since it's free, call up yer LegProt just for 'guidance'. Explain the facts - you don't know how the damage was caused, tho' it's pretty obvious it was by them, and that you have yet to approach them about it - you were hoping they'd do this. You just want to understand your position for when you do approach them.

And when you do approach them, do so from the manner of expectation that they were always going to sort it - big smile…

TroubledTarts

Simply put they should put that back to how it was, if you are not comfortable talking to your neighbour or the builders directly about this then you could go to your home insurance provider for information.

Have you got a before picture as that will surely be asked for if there is any doubt.

Floopy2009

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81955929#Comment_81955929

The crack was there to start with but it was not hanging off and still intact, its been 100% disturburbed by them. I agree very poor not to come around and discuss it or remove the debris thats why i think they might fob me off or try and do one without repairing it but agree its not good customer practice, especially as i might want to use them in the future. Been round to see the neighbours she said they are back round tomorrow she didnt really want to get involved and i can speak to them lol, so will go with my smile tomorrow morning and see what the outcome is.

Mahsroh

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81956048#Comment_81956048

I think that's pretty poor from your neighbour to be honest. You're not asking her to open a full blown dispute with them. All she needs to politely say to them is "next door popped over to point out some damage, I assume you're aware of it and will repair it?" (again, big smile from her). It will have far more gravitas coming from her, their actual client.

Jemma01

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81956048#Comment_81956048

The neighbour is the one who hired them, I would insist that she's present when you talk to them. If they're not as cooperative, and I'd like to think they will be, ask for their public liability insurance details.

Also, write down "Hi neighbour, we've spoken today about the blabla damage caused by your contractors, see photo, I expect this to be repaired or compensated. Please communicate this to your contractors and request their public liability insurance certificate. Thanks"

She can't just make it your problem with them, you have no contract with them. She's the middle man.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81956048#Comment_81956048

Most walls have hairline cracks to some degree. The onus is on them to prove that it was significantly damaged/vulnerable before they got stuck in, and it's pretty obvious that they caused that section to fall off, and presumably the rest to move (the lower bit looks stepped-out now - was it cracked but flush before?)

Anyhoo, call your LP first - this doesn't cost, and they'll guide you - and then have your chat. I'm actually anticipating an apology and assurance it'll be put right, although they might maintain it was loose before (with possibly some justification).

But, bottom line, it's a doddle for them to sort this, and should be their inclination to do so for sheer self-respect. In the unlikely chance they are stubborn, your LP will have guided you on your response - prob along the lines of, 'You fix it, or I'll employ another builder to do so, and sue you for the cost - and I'll win.' 'Oh, and I'll post an honest review about the care you take...'

But, I'm anticipating a good solution.