Chimney issues

[Neil Carroll]

Afternoon , I live in a mid Terrace , I've noticed recently that the chimney is losing parts of the mortar and there are even bricks missing after harsh weather , the neighbour who shares the chimney left his property 5 years ago to move abroad and left it vacant , ( he owns it ) , I have no way of getting in touch with him and even though it is technically his side of the chimney I'm not prepared to be stubborn and allow for the chimney to crash through my room and destroy my property or worse .

Looking at the attached image can anyone please advise if they think this will require scaffolding or could the chimney be reached with ladders , also any Idea roughly how much this will cost , the majority of the bricks are fine so I would imagine that if would be a case of repointing and the missing brick being replaced ,

Thanks in advance

 

[endecotp]

the neighbour who shares the chimney left his property 5 years ago to move abroad and left it vacant

Were you on good terms before they left? Have they abandoned the property, or do you believe they still care about its state of repair? (Do you think they still pay bills?)

You should attempt to contact them. You can do this concurrently with initiating the work, if you feel it is that urgent.

Your household insurance may have a legal advice service that could help.

Looking at the attached image can anyone please advise if they think this will require scaffolding or could the chimney be reached with ladders

Some work (e.g. inspection) may be possible by rope access, but generally scaffolding is needed.

 

[Wayners]

I would post letter to the neighbour. Maybe they have a postal divert. Someone must be dealing with post

 

[Old Salt]

If the property is empty they must still be paying council tax. I would pay a visit to your local council and ask to see the electoral roll, you may have to book. Hopefully that may have contact details. The land registry should also hold contact details.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have no way of getting in touch with him and even though it is technically his side of the chimney I'm not prepared to be stubborn and allow for the chimney to crash through my room and destroy my property or worse .

Your local council have powers to carry out emergency repairs on properties, especially abandoned properties, if they are at risk of damaging other properties. Get in touch with them, as a first step.