Scary letter from next door re shared chimney pot rebuild.

Came home from a night out yesterday to find a scary letter from a property company working for the landlord (CoE) next door. Apparently our shared chimney stack needs rebuilding (Victorian terrace). The total quote is coming in around 5k (see attached) which presumably they want me to pay half of. So far they only have quotes from builders. Nobody independent has been up there yet.

What do I do?!?

Thanks in advance!

 

Decline their offer.

 

Lol doesn't feel it will be that simple! The quote feels quite punchy too but I'm no expert on these things.

 

Repost the quote with your address removed.

 

You could also seek out your own quotes with which to bolster your arguments.

 

Sorted the quote so no address on it thanks for the heads up.

 

Church of England ? You haven't got some obscure arcane obligation to pay up have you?. I recall somewhere that the Church can charge people for repairs ........

 

I do remember reading about that somewhere but not the issue here, I hope! This falls under the party wall act I think.

 

Is your concern about
- The need for any works to be done;
- Your obligation to pay a share;
- The quotes presented ?

To be honest, if they are prepared to get the quotes and manage the project and all you have to do is pay half the bill, that is not a bad situation to be in!

 

All three tbh! I don't believe the chimney is about to fall down and this feels like a roofing company have spied a potential job and opted for a play it safe comprehensive quote. I personally don't have the odd 3k knocking around to fix something that possibly doesn't need fixing.

 

Ask them why they think it needs work, and how the problem came to their attention etc. Assuming there are tennants, ask them what they know.

 

This will be fun. As part of your consideration of the quote, ask them for their

• Report or appraisal on the chimney from a Chartered Building Surveyor, Structural Engineer or other bone-fide member of a suitable professional body detailing the condition and recommendations
• CDM Construction Phase Plan (CDM = Construction Design and Management Regulations)
• The name of the Principle Designer under CDM
• Their risk assessments
• Their method statements
• A copy/confirmation of their F10 notification to the HSE (this may or may not apply)
• A copy of their Asbestos Refurbishment and Demolition Survey
• A copy of the planning permission or confirmation that it does not apply
• A copy of the building regulation application
• To serve a Notice on you as part of the Party Wall Etc Act with all all plans, diagrams and details as necessary
• Their insurance documents covering Public Liability, Employers Liability (and Professional Indemnity for their design element)

 

Lol that all sounds complicated! Have already suggested the first point. What's the angle with asking for all the other stuff? Just to be difficult or chance they just fix it themselves?

 

It's all essential stuff nowadays, and it confirms that the builder is genuine and knows his obligations, but it also puts the builder on notice that you know your stuff too.

That is a premium quote, and it's for a commercial client, so I would expect all these things to be in place before anything is even started on site.

The items will protect you, the property and those working on it.

 

Well, it might save you several thousand quid....