What to do when a neighbouring property is causing damage to your home

Dealing with a maintenance issue with a neighbouring property can be a challenging and stressful situation, especially if the issue is causing damage to your own property. In this article, we will outline the steps you can take to address the issue and resolve it in a fair and amicable way.

If your neighbouring property is causing damage to your own property, the first thing you should do is try to communicate with your neighbour about the issue. It is important to approach the situation calmly and professionally, as getting into a heated argument with your neighbour is unlikely to lead to a resolution. Explain the problem and how it is affecting you, and try to come up with a solution together.

If your attempts at communication are unsuccessful, or if the issue is more serious, you may need to seek legal assistance. In this case, it is important to document the issue and gather evidence, such as photographs or reports from experts, to support your case. You may also want to consider consulting with a lawyer or mediator to help facilitate a resolution.

If the issue involves a shared boundary or party wall, it is important to understand the legal responsibilities of both parties. In general, each property owner is responsible for maintaining their own property and ensuring that it does not cause damage to the neighbouring property. However, if the issue is related to a shared wall or boundary, the costs may be shared between the two parties.

It is important to determine who is responsible for the maintenance issue before proceeding with any repairs or costs. This can often be done through an inspection by a qualified professional, such as a surveyor or engineer. The professional will assess the problem and determine who is responsible for the maintenance and any associated costs.

If the issue is determined to be the responsibility of your neighbour, you can request that they take care of the issue and cover the costs. If they are unwilling or unable to do so, you may need to seek legal remedies, such as filing a lawsuit or seeking an injunction to force them to take action.

If the issue is determined to be the responsibility of both parties, you and your neighbour will need to agree on how to share the costs. This can often be done through negotiation or mediation. It is important to be fair and reasonable in these negotiations, as getting into a legal dispute over the issue can be costly and time-consuming.

If you are unable to come to an agreement, you may need to seek legal assistance to resolve the issue. A lawyer or mediator can help facilitate a resolution and determine a fair way to split the costs.

In conclusion, dealing with a maintenance issue with a neighbouring property can be challenging, but by following these steps and seeking legal assistance if necessary, you can resolve the issue in a fair and amicable way. Remember to approach the situation calmly and professionally, gather evidence to support your case, and be fair and reasonable in any negotiations or legal proceedings.