terraced house with shared chimney breast. Next door don't use fire and house is housing assoc. Our fire used by tenants and smoke into their loft room. we had same problem about 18 months ago. Hetas engineer looked in converted loft said beams have damaged chimney breast, fixed it no further problems. Next door at same time then had same problem, HA said they would put a smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm in. Same hetas engineer took a look and said exactly same problem beams damaged breast. HA refused to pay. I paid in the end to get it sorted. Now neighbour complaining of same thing, I won;t pay this time, the hetas engineer has said it is their issue to fix. Any offer any building law or advice I can use when I end up speaking to housing association.
My other option is to fit a stove (multi fuel) and lining, any recomendations of a good vale (cheapish 3.5 -4kw stove) and sources for 2nd hand if poss
many thanks
I'm pretty sure the ha will have a duty of care to prevent their tenants being killed by CO as smoke emissions a from leaking chimney.
[edit] what i mean by that being i doubt this it's really an issue of buildings/property/party wall, that legal obligation would be on them to resolve rather than argue who is going to pay for it.
I think chimney liner/stove is probably way to go. CO can seep into any cracks in chimney breast, including yours, building up in bedrooms, kids waking up in hospital etc. Cheap stoves: ebay. Don't knock the Chinese numbers we got one for C£250 inc delivery just as good as local shop oness at $800 rip off. Maybe casting won't outlast top drawer stove, but so what, replace it in five years time if you have to. Bolt in/bolt out job. I would tend to go nnew/cheap rather than second hand. Main issues to look out for are: cracks in casting, worn rope seals, cracks in glass.
AStonished by HA attitude. But at end of day you have a kind of ethical responsiblity: whatever the technical/legal rights and wrongs, its your fire putting out the CO and you don't want a dead kiddy on your conscience do you? It happens. Also you will find massive improvement in heat efficiency from a stove compared to open fire. Keep a kettle on top, make brews, fill hot water bottles, the old ways are the best. Stove with liner always adds value to house as well: not sure if you are tenant also??
interesting issue. the common practice of HA and LA is to remove gas fires etc. from properties and replace with electric suites at £169 each saves on servicing maintencace costs and they are literally throw away when bust lifespan about 36 months. The shared flue is an issue though that I ve not met before. I would write to the HA explaining clearly and consisely that you intend to continue using the appliance having fully repaired your side of the chimney. Express the concern that they should check and if/where necessary make any repairs to their side of the flue allow them 14 days from postmark to complete as necesary when you will re commence full use of your appliance.
keep a copy..
We have a somewhat similar issue only no smoke ingress to neighbours.
The shared chimneys simply damaged.
LA say they will take chimney to roof level and make good and that's the only option they will consider.
I said that's not good enough I have a functional stove and chimney and I should be left with a functional stove and chimney.
I'm wondering what my insurance will think if it falls down because they won't stump up their half....
It's a stale mate ATM.
YOUR appliance is spilling products of combustion because of a damaged flue.
Fairly certain the responsibility will lie with you to ensure safe operation of that appliance.
If it was a gas appliance it would be classified as Immediately Dangerous and disconnected from the gas supply, regardless of you giving permission. There are big fines for anyone ignoring such warning notices.
It is your responsibility to ensure the appliance is safe to use, someone could die from CO from a spilling appliance. If you have been made aware of the faulty chimney then to continue to use it is reckless.
Who pays for the repair is a side issue to risking life.