Dividing Roof Party Wall - Insurance Claim advice needed!

EdamMan

Hi - i'm hoping someone out there might have experience re this matter?!

I live in/own a semi-detached property.
Prior to buying the property, the surveyor's report instructed that advice from a roofing specialist be sought re the observed "crumbling brickwork" on the dividing party wall. The roofing specialist advised that the party wall was ok for now, but that in time the brickwork would degrade to the point whereby water ingress could be expected, with resultant water damage to internal rooms below; they recommended that a pro-active approach to getting remedial work be considered. We decided not to do anything at the time.
It's now a couple of years down the line and my next-door-neighbour has, on days of extremely heavy rainfall, recently been experiencing "water running down the wall" on the inside of their upstairs room - which adjoins mine. I've checked and can see no damage on my side of the wall.
My neighbour has contacted their buildings insurer, who's sending an assessor round in a week or so. My neighbour's excess is only £60 but they've been told already by their insurer that they can expect their premium to go up by £5/month once they claim for the work (to strip party wall and lead tray under at roof elevation to front and rear of properties; strip roof tiles either side so felt and roof battens can be replaced with new fit ridge tile to cover join of tiles to prevent water ingress - which has been quoted at £2,556 and £2,820 by two different companies).

I haven't at this stage contacted my own insurer, because neither myself nor my neighbour know whether or not it's necessary for me to do so. The point here is that the work will benefit me as much as my neighbour!

Does anyone have any advice to offer re this situation please?

Many thanks!

marybishop

Would have thought if it's a party wall you're both liable. Would also have thought it would be in your own interest to contact your insurance company to check out what the procedure is rather than just leaving it to chance.

EdamMan

Thank you for taking the trouble to post a reply. Yes, as it's a dividing party wall then the usual practice is for both property owners to "go halves" on the cost of the work. But in this instance, my neighbour isn't stumping-up the cash themselves, they're claiming on their insurance - and their insurer has not at this stage given any indication that they expect me to do the same. For my part, i'm not leaving things to chance as you put it, but i'm loathe to contact my own insurer until i'm told or instructed that i have to do so; i'm afraid i have a fairly negative view of insurance companies and so don't want to involve mine unless absolutely necessary! Thanks again.

rdpro

Although you're jointly responsible for costs, it's your neighbour that's having the 'claimable event'.

I would sit tight and see what the outcome is. They may end up paying for the entire lot, or maybe just 50% and expect your insurance to cover the rest.

adaze

I'd agree, I would not do anything until contact by your neighbours insurer. As pointed out, it is them that is claiming and there is no visible damage on your side of the wall. What's the worst that could happen, in a few months their insurer contacts you and informs you that now your insurance will have to cover half of it, which is basically what you would expect. On the plus side, right now you won't have an increased premium.