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Neighbours builder ripped out supporting chimmeys - who's liable?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.12 PM

Hi Expert trades People. In short, my terraced house neighbour decided to rip out both chimney breasts on the first floor. This caused a hole right through to my side on one breast (and a shot wall) and a crack on the hall stairs. He did this without a party wall agreement, or even telling me he was doing it. I got onto bulding regs, who got him to put steel lintels in to support the remaining chimney stack (and roof!). I said I was happy to not go via insurance if we could get an alternate builder to fix. (though not the same builder that broke building regs) I opted for the cheaper option to plasterboard over the shot wall, and fill the other cracked wall + paint... thinking a few hundred quid - fine. I am asking my neighbour for £300 for what has cost me around £350 plus two days of my time painting.. and 2-3 months of a hole above my bed! I have kept my neighbour informed as he didn't find the eventual plasterer-fixer. And I've not been argumentative - I think I've been kind + fair. The neighbour is now saying that his builder is not going to pay. And I'm like "WHAT?! it's YOUR fault, your blame, you're liable, you've got to pay!" Where do I stand - is it my neighbour (under UK law) that's liable? Should I now go to the courts? thanks!