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Martin68

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I have a second property which is uninhabitable(It is for sale ).I have been refused insurance for this as it isn't occupied.The house is a terraced house and the chimney stack(Consists of 6 chimneys) bordering one of the neighbours is in very bad repair .
There is lumps of old concrete plaster now falling down to the street.
I am sick with worry that one of these pieces of concrete will hit a pedestrian or someones car.
The landlord of the neighbouring property said that "He has enough on his plate at the moment" and not to bother him with it.
The work required to repair the chimney stack is in the region of 8 -12 thousand.
I have not got this money and I would like to know if anyone was injured or if someones car was damaged ,where would I stand?
Thank you for taking the time to read this and any suggestions will be gratefully accepted.
 
Re: No insurence on second property

Even if you get insurance ... how could you expect it to cover a dangerous chimney and falling masonry as this is known to you and has happened prior to taking out the insurance?

Why not get a contractor in to make safe rather than repair? Your priority is to make the building safe and no insurance company is going to cover a property that's dangerous in its current state.

You ask who's liable .... you. Make the property safe.
 
I assume there is no mortgage on the property - right? Have you tried approaching your bank to borrow enough money to carry out whatever repairs are required to get it back to saleable or rentable condition?
 
Quite simply, if you fail to maintain your property and as a result of this there is damage to third party persons or property, you will likely be held liable in the event if an action is taken against you. If your neighbours property is not maintained, similarly, he may also be held liable.

The price you quote does seem high. I would suggest that you speak to a chimney specialist. They deal with chimney problems and are generally cheaper than general building contractors.
 
Thanks for replies,
I will go with the suggestion about the bank,surely they can come top some arrangement.I only saw the damage over the holidays and the quotation was from a local builder.
This has to be repaired as I couldn't live with myself if someone got hurt.I will check the golden pages for a chimney specialist.
I appreciate all replies .
regards Martin.
 
if it is a derelict property as opposed to an unoccupied one, then it is unlikley you will get insurance. You must tell the truth when taking out the policy. You are aware that parts of the building are falling on the street - you must advise the insurers at the time you are taking out the policy. if you do not and a claim arises and they become aware of this, then the policy will be cancelled 'ab initio' (from inception).

You need to repair the property as you will be liable in the event of injury.
 
If it is derelict would it not be cheaper to knock down the chimney stack into the building rather than repair it?
 
Bronte said:
... would it not be cheaper to knock down the chimney stack into the building rather than repair it?
Click to expand...
Martin68 said:
...The house is a terraced house and the chimney stack(Consists of 6 chimneys) bordering one of the neighbours is in very bad repair ...
Click to expand...
Demolition work may require planning applications and permissions as well as agreement from and indemnity for neighbours, plus a contractor, scaffolding, insurance, etc.
 
Martin68 said:
I have a second property which is uninhabitable(It is for sale ).I have been refused insurance for this as it isn't occupied.The house is a terraced house and the chimney stack(Consists of 6 chimneys) bordering one of the neighbours is in very bad repair .
There is lumps of old concrete plaster now falling down to the street.
I am sick with worry that one of these pieces of concrete will hit a pedestrian or someones car.
The landlord of the neighbouring property said that "He has enough on his plate at the moment" and not to bother him with it.
The work required to repair the chimney stack is in the region of 8 -12 thousand.
I have not got this money and I would like to know if anyone was injured or if someones car was damaged ,where would I stand?
Thank you for taking the time to read this and any suggestions will be gratefully accepted.
Click to expand...

Martin,

I'm going to make two assumptions and you can correct me.
A) this property was in poor enough condition when you bought it and you've done nothing with it or
B) it was in acceptable condition and you've allowed it to deteriorate.

By your own admission you are putting people at risk.
The work to repair a six pot chimney stack is not going to be 12 thousand Euro.
There is maybe a week's work in this for two men, scaffolds & tethers, to clean off and re-render the chimney.
Get out your chequebook and maintain the property before there is an accident that could seriously injure somebody.

ONQ.
 
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