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Neighbour Blames My Builder for Damage

By: Jeff Durham - Updated: 28 Dec 2023 | comments*Discuss
 
Neighbour Dispute Roofing Tiles

Q.Approximately 18 months ago my roof was re-tiled. Today, my neighbour knocked on my door to state that he has a leaking roof and this is because he has some broken tiles, and is blaming my builder for doing this.

My builder stated he didn't go on the neighbours' roof at all. The neighbour is saying that we must pay for the damage. I feel we have done nothing wrong. What should be our course of action?

(K N, 11 September 2008)

A.

Given that your builder denies even going onto your neighbour’s roof in the first place, the onus here is on your neighbour. He must be able to able to prove that your builder was the cause of his current roofing problems.

Broken tiles are often caused by bad weather - in particular, strong winds, hail or even heavy rain - or it might simply be a case that your neighbour’s tiles are quite old and that they’ve cracked under the strain caused by inclement weather over the years. On the other hand, your builder’s denials may just be a cover up. You are unfortunately stuck in the middle when deciding who to believe.

Who is to Blame?

However, the only way to have the matter resolved would be for you to suggest to your neighbour that they hire a buildings or roof surveyor to come out and inspect the damage. A professional eye would be able to tell whether or not the broken tiles could possibly have come about as the result of your builder’s activities, if it was more likely to be down to weather damage, or the fact that the tiles were old and needing replacing anyway.

Paying for these Checks

Your neighbour would be able to claim on his household insurance for the costs of this survey to be carried out. Should the surveyor’s findings prove that your builder was negligent then you have a couple of options. You can then either agree to pay for the damage to your neighbour's roof, or you can hire your own surveyor for a second opinion.

In cases where two surveyors may have different opinions, then you could either agree to split the costs of repairing the damage with your neighbour, or make a decision to jointly agree to appoint a third and final surveyor and to stand by their findings.

However, it should be re-emphasised that from the information you’ve supplied here, there is no evidence that you or your builder have been guilty of any wrong doing, so it really is up to your neighbour to prove otherwise.

Going to Court

Your neighbour could decide to take you to court, which should always be a last resort as it can be a very costly affair for both parties. Basically, it all very much depends on how you feel towards your neighbour. If the damage is relatively minimal, you might think it’s easier to suggest splitting the costs of the repairs, as a small financial outlay might mean less hassle all round and will help you to maintain good relations with your neighbour. However, until your neighbour proves any differently, you are under no obligation to pay for anything.

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Hi I haveproblem with my neighbour it's been going on for a fewyears his last argument was about water going on his side,but what he said that he can come on my drive to do work on his roof when he wants even if I will not give him permission, his he right and what would happen if I stopped him anyway please reply soon Thank you linmax
Linmax - 28-Dec-23 @ 4:28 AM
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AllyAllyO - 9-Nov-23 @ 9:41 AM
Hi there, Any advice please.....we don't speak with our neighbours after falling out over their cannabis habits so when scaffolding was put up just before Christmas we had no idea of what was being done.The scaffolding encroached our property at the back and front but we didn't say anything.Then the builders used hammer drills to completely remove all their rendering and obviously took quite a few chunks of our rendering off too from the back and front, as well as make a mess in our gardens and large pieces of rendering falling into our garden.I asked about the damage done and was told that they were told they were not allowed to talk to us.We waited for the work and our damage to be repaired but to our disbelief, the scaffolding was taken down.I asked the lady next-door about the repair to our exterior to which she said she 'was chasing them' and closed the door.That was over a month ago and now I have no idea of how to get the damage repaired as it is now obvious the neighbours will not be addressing the problem.We don't even know the builders details either so any advice please?
Diamond - 4-Feb-21 @ 7:32 PM
My neighbor has just had his side of our semi detached re tiled on the front side the tiles are interlocking but on the back of the house there is now what the roofer is calling an hidden valley/gulley of at least six inches wide and is not hidden. the valley / gulley appears to be on my side of the property divide it is an eye sore and concerning that the tile interlock on the front and not the back, my biggest concern is I believe it is on my side of the semi. suggestions please
Alfie - 20-Dec-19 @ 3:13 PM
I am planning an extension and have complete the PWA with my neighbour.I have given noticed when the builder will starting.Now my neighbours is asking for copies of the builders insurance.Do we have to provide the neighbour with this? We have complete the PWA and have this awarded ready for the build.
Dawn - 19-Nov-19 @ 8:20 PM
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Lin - 29-Apr-19 @ 5:50 PM
Hi, my neighbour is going through demolition and extension works. They reported that the shared wall is about to collapse and its my responsibility to fix. We share a wall which is my garden's back wall but their right side wall, this wall is a contention wall as my neighbours house is around 2 meters below ours. I have checked the Deed but there is no information on who owns my back wall, but are we responsible for the damage when they are doing demolition and moving and excavating the grounds? Thanks for any help on this!
Kat - 28-Mar-19 @ 2:39 PM
Hi, my neighbour is going through demolition and extension works. They reported that the shared wall is about to collapse and its my responsibility to fix. We share a wall which is my garden's back wall but their right side wall, this wall is a contention wall as my neighbours house is around 2 meters below ours. I have checked the Deed but there is no information on who owns my back wall, but are we responsible for the damage when they are doing demolition and moving and excavating the grounds? Thanks for any help on this!
Kat - 28-Mar-19 @ 2:39 PM
karan - Your Question:
My neighbour has damaged the gutter of my property, because of this damage rain water directly pouring to the wall and damaged the wall,also water coming to one of my bed room through the window. Where can find assistance regarding this issue please?

Our Response:
Talk to your neighbour? Are they aware they have caused the damage? Will their insurance pay? If you can't resolve this between you, you may have claim damages via the courts.
ProblemNeighbours - 30-May-18 @ 11:59 AM
My neighbour has damaged the gutter of my property, because of this damage rain water directly pouring to the wall and damaged the wall,also water coming to one of my bed room through the window. Where can find assistance regarding this issue please?
karan - 26-May-18 @ 8:42 AM
Hi I'm desperately seeking some advice and help I've recently bought my first home, and have since had a new kitchen fitted. The builder noticed damp in my kitchen coming in from my neighbours ajoining internal wall. I have spoke with my neighbour and he said that he does not have the money to fix this and has since been quite difficult to speak with about the matter. He did say he's more than happy for me to fix the problem but at my own cost. So i have had a few builders come out and have a look at what is causing the damage to my internal walls and they have all said that my neighbours lack of maintenance on his outside wall has meant that over the years, water is getting in through the brickwork and thus causing damp in my kitchen. The mortar on his bricks have seen better days and you can clearly see where the water is getting in. He quite clearly has an issue with his house, you can see through his windows that his house is in complete disrepair which i sympathise with but knowing it is now causing damage to my property, it really is concerning me. He has damp all up his walls and it is that bad that now my walls are becoming damaged from the strain What can i do? I have been quoted £1350 to fix the main issue but this issue is my neighbours ajoining external wall not mine that is allowing the water in? Therefore i feel so very upset that i have to pay for such work knowing it shouldnt be my problem. HELP
Els - 29-Dec-16 @ 3:03 PM
Hi can someone I advise me I live in a downstairs flat I came home from work one day to find aninvoice for work done to the shared roof.I knocked on my upstairs neighbour door and asked if they knew anything about it they said yes they noticed that the guttering and roof needed repaired so they instructed the company to do the work and that was my share of the bill I said I should of been informed or at least have a say in which company did the work or even get my own independent quote first they said no as it affected them more than me and I had 14 days to pay the invoice I phoned the company and explained I hadn't agreed to the work and they said they would extend my payment share to 21 days- help where do I go from here now
chelle - 1-Sep-16 @ 7:48 AM
Hello!I am reaching out for some advise on a neighbor situation I have been experiencing.I live in a coop I purchased 11 years ago.I had great neighbors for the last 8 years and they have sold their coop.Now I inherited an individual who has some type of mental issues.He slams things around the apartment and I feel and hear everything in my apartment.I don't know when to expect it so I walk around on egg shells and edgy all the time.It is affecting my quality of life and most of the time I don't want to go home.This person does not work so I can't even take a day off because I prefer to go to work than to be home knowing he is there.I have spoken to the Property Manager and to the Board and I have been informed that it is hard to proof noise problems when your neighbor is right next door.I have spoken to his aunt and uncle who actually purchased the apartment and they placed rugs in the entire apartment but it is more complicated than just installing rugs.They are not revealing any information on his actual condition so I am afraid to confront him.I am at my wits end and I don't really want to sell my place as I have a good ten years before retirement.What are my resources? What are my actual rights? Any advise is much appreciated.
Ivy - 13-Apr-16 @ 7:09 PM
Hi Roofer came to dismantle our chimney while we were a short break.Offered him a key, he declined.Plan was to replace chimney with a flue and seal up neighbours chimney, (which we are paying for as she has no money).Came home to find the flue snapped off the log burner, log burner has major mishapen hole and is now rendered useless.Roofer will return to fit the new flue, shouldn't he offer to repair or replace the log burner ? Feeling this may become an issue :(
snowy - 24-Mar-16 @ 1:14 PM
Boobuloo - Your Question:
Hello, we live in a ground floor maisonette and our neighbour is having building work done on their upstairs maisonette. This has involved attaching new gas pipes and water pipes to the outside of our property (in order to reach theirs.) in doing this they have drilled holes to attach brackets into "our" walls. They did not inform us that this work was going to be happening and I was just wondering if this was alright for them to do this? I wasn't sure whether we should have been issued with a party wall agreement or at least be notified, as it changes the appearance of the front of our property and could affect the rendering on the outside of the house. Thank you

Our Response:
A party wall notice should usually be given ifthe work might have any possible structural consequences (e.g strength & support) for the party wall. If you're happy with the brackets being there and the neighbours agree to repair any additional damage, then you can usually resolve this between you.
ProblemNeighbours - 1-Sep-15 @ 11:19 AM
Hello, we live in a ground floor maisonette and our neighbour is having building work done on their upstairs maisonette. This has involved attaching new gas pipes and water pipes to the outside of our property (in order to reach theirs.) in doing this they have drilled holes to attach brackets into "our" walls. They did not inform us that this work was going to be happening and I was just wondering if this was alright for them to do this?I wasn't sure whether we should have been issued with a party wall agreement or at least be notified, as it changes the appearance of the front of our property and could affect the rendering on the outside of the house. Thank you
Boobuloo - 31-Aug-15 @ 3:23 PM
I have a new build property which was built by a contractor, in building they have dug out some virgin ground on my neighbours side who i purchased my land from, the adjoining land owner neighbour says i am liable for my builders actions even though i told the builder not to do anything without the land owners permission in writing,the builder has acknowledged to the land owner his error and has agreed to put the material back correctly. Am i liable for this or is the builder - Please advise? The adjoining neigbour is also saying the house has been built in the wrong place by the builder and he says i am liable for this aswell, he is trying to bully me into buying the plot that the builder has encroached onto, even though he agreed to a boundary line in writing and the house is within this. He is trying to get me to build a wall to hold the foundations for the next plot and says i have to do this even though i dont have anything in legal writing to say i need to do this - can you please help and advise?
myhouse - 29-Jun-15 @ 9:10 PM
Please help. I live in a terrace house on the end, my next two neighbourrs have had work done on their gutters. Prior to this I had the gutter repaird as there was a leak. The leak was rectified and was not leaking before the work was done. Since the work has been done, the window is leaking. I have had this checked by the people who did the original repair and they have advised me that the gutter has droppedpossibly due to the vibrations from work being done on the neighbouring houses. I have contacted the company who did the work and they have not replied to my question- asking them to come and look and rectify the problem. I have gone back and told them this - but still no reply. I now want to take this a step further as I have been in contact for 3 weeks and still not had a suitable answer. How do I take it further?
leaking window - 24-Jun-15 @ 8:46 PM
I've just noticed a hole in my garage roof.. My nieghbour has had a tree cut down between our garages, two weeks ago.. I've just asked him if he knew about the hole. He said he knew about a bit on the side, and has some glue to restore it!! I've told him the hole is in the middle.. He is out side at the moment trying to repair it.. But I know it won't work.. I said the tree surgeon would be insured, but he said the guy was doing him a favour!!! Is my nieghbour liable for the cost of repair??
Harvey - 5-Oct-14 @ 1:16 PM
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Worried pensioner - 10-Sep-14 @ 6:42 PM
Our neighbour is getting there roof retiled and walls roughcasted now roofers have gone to far and came into our roof we told them and they took it back a bit but not far enough the edge up wall should be dead in line with edge of roof as we can see by other houses recently done we have told them this but they dont listen what can we do
mary - 24-May-14 @ 2:15 PM
recently my mam had to have her conservatory roof repaired by her workman they were doing new guttering and broke some panels after a few irrated phone calls they patched it up but now neighbours had some scaffolding put up and dropped a plank of heavy wood on my mams roof and broke it in a couple of places she saw this and asked them what they are going to do about it they said accidents happen and the roof is brittle if they don't take responsibility to mend it are the home owners responsible who never came to see my mam I had to go and talk to them thanks
scooby - 25-Jan-14 @ 5:17 PM
I had my roof retiled two and a half years ago by a local registered roofer , my neighbour has just sent me a letter claiming that there is a hole near the adjoining chimney that is allowing water to penetrate his internal walls , he claimed he had experts to verify this even though I was not given any of his experts written findings , his roof tiles are old and uneven in places . I have told him to contact the roofer who carried out the work on my roof who is liable?
longun1966 - 2-Oct-13 @ 8:16 PM
Our neighbour employed a contractor to replace his tiled roof.We have a one storey extension with a flat, felted roof.The neighbours contractor came onto our flat roof and broke some of our tiles on a lower roof and then concreted a hip, completely on our side of the boundary, directly onto the felted roof.When we realised what he had done, we asked the contractor to remove the hip from our roof and replace the tiles he had broken.The contractor refused to do either.He said it would cost him money to do what we requested.We have been in touch with the Guild of Master Craftsmen but who is responsible for the damage?Is it our neighbour or the contractor? We asked an independent roofer for a survery and he said that what the neighbours contractor had done was wrong and would cause us problems in the future when we tried to maintain our flat roof or even when we replaced the tiles that the neighbours contractors had broken.
Kitkat - 19-Jun-13 @ 12:20 PM
My neighbour who has caused us a lot of problems in the past (late night parties ,reversing van up grassed area of the walk etc,issuing threats to us when we reported him for this) has built a monstrosity in his back garden right up against the fence that seperates our garden and his, its on a angle that when it rains it will flood into our back garden as he has a corrugated iron roof , i am really worried about this as there doesn't appear to be any drainage,guttering etc , (he could of built it the other way and affected noone ) what can i do its about 20ft x 7ft . I know if i mention this he will yet again either go for me or attack me again but our property foundations might get affected ....
saviour1263 - 26-May-13 @ 7:57 PM
A couple of months ago we had a new glass room fitted to our sun room, the glass has a self cleaning coating. Our neighbour's employed a company that put a weather proof coating on their roof, the process involved pressure washing their roof which coated our glass roof with debris including grit and cement particles. This debris is ingrained on the glass and even with the heavy rain recently has not come off. Our roof came with a 10 year warranty which the company who installed it would not guarantee if the coating is damaged by trying to clean the grit off it. We have been in dialogue with the company who were employed to put the coating on (they sub-contracted the work to another company)the roof and currently they are not prepared to replace the roof. They have had a number of cleaning companies visit and meet with the glass installation company rep and they all refuse to give a guarantee ifthe cleaning does not work. We are now at an impasse and are getting very frustrated, legally do we continue to deal with company who our neighbour employed, the sub-contractor or our neighbour direct - who is liable for the damage?
pete - 4-Jul-12 @ 10:01 PM
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