Property with shared gutter
Discussion
Looking for some general advice before I do proper research. Trying to resolve by discussion, but wonder what, typically, rights we have?
My Mum lives in a 1960's terraced house. The gutter at the rear is continuous across her and the neighbour's property with the downpipe at the far side of the neighbours'.
3-4 years ago she had her (half of) gutter replaced, no problems. Neighbour had his done in the summer. With the recent heavy rain water is pouring over the gutter around the boundary position. I went up a ladder in the summer and cleared all the moss from my Mum's gutter. In a couple of years it got pretty choked. Neighbour has allegedly done the same. Looking at the alignment, he seems to have a rise in the middle of his run, which could cause water to sit in the gutter weighing it down and distort it.
So, we have spoken, but he says its clear and can do no more. I haven't looked since. What sort of rights do we have, if any? I'm guessing that we can't instruct a gutterer to go on their land? I would be uncomfortable putting ladders up against their house and peering into the bedroom. As the houses are terraced, access is difficult, so nipping round while they're out is not a feasible option. We obviously don't want to go legal over such a small issue. Unfortunately I live 150 miles away so difficult to get directly involved.
Any advice?
My Mum lives in a 1960's terraced house. The gutter at the rear is continuous across her and the neighbour's property with the downpipe at the far side of the neighbours'.
3-4 years ago she had her (half of) gutter replaced, no problems. Neighbour had his done in the summer. With the recent heavy rain water is pouring over the gutter around the boundary position. I went up a ladder in the summer and cleared all the moss from my Mum's gutter. In a couple of years it got pretty choked. Neighbour has allegedly done the same. Looking at the alignment, he seems to have a rise in the middle of his run, which could cause water to sit in the gutter weighing it down and distort it.
So, we have spoken, but he says its clear and can do no more. I haven't looked since. What sort of rights do we have, if any? I'm guessing that we can't instruct a gutterer to go on their land? I would be uncomfortable putting ladders up against their house and peering into the bedroom. As the houses are terraced, access is difficult, so nipping round while they're out is not a feasible option. We obviously don't want to go legal over such a small issue. Unfortunately I live 150 miles away so difficult to get directly involved.
Any advice?
speedking31 said:
Looking for some general advice before I do proper research. Trying to resolve by discussion, but wonder what, typically, rights we have?
My Mum lives in a 1960's terraced house. The gutter at the rear is continuous across her and the neighbour's property with the downpipe at the far side of the neighbours'.
3-4 years ago she had her (half of) gutter replaced, no problems. Neighbour had his done in the summer. With the recent heavy rain water is pouring over the gutter around the boundary position. I went up a ladder in the summer and cleared all the moss from my Mum's gutter. In a couple of years it got pretty choked. Neighbour has allegedly done the same. Looking at the alignment, he seems to have a rise in the middle of his run, which could cause water to sit in the gutter weighing it down and distort it.
So, we have spoken, but he says its clear and can do no more. I haven't looked since. What sort of rights do we have, if any? I'm guessing that we can't instruct a gutterer to go on their land? I would be uncomfortable putting ladders up against their house and peering into the bedroom. As the houses are terraced, access is difficult, so nipping round while they're out is not a feasible option. We obviously don't want to go legal over such a small issue. Unfortunately I live 150 miles away so difficult to get directly involved.
Any advice?
Could you not just approach them again and ask if you can have a look from their side so you can work out what is causing the overspill? It would presumably benefit both parties to stop it so I can't see why they would refuse unless they haven't been arsed to clear their bit?My Mum lives in a 1960's terraced house. The gutter at the rear is continuous across her and the neighbour's property with the downpipe at the far side of the neighbours'.
3-4 years ago she had her (half of) gutter replaced, no problems. Neighbour had his done in the summer. With the recent heavy rain water is pouring over the gutter around the boundary position. I went up a ladder in the summer and cleared all the moss from my Mum's gutter. In a couple of years it got pretty choked. Neighbour has allegedly done the same. Looking at the alignment, he seems to have a rise in the middle of his run, which could cause water to sit in the gutter weighing it down and distort it.
So, we have spoken, but he says its clear and can do no more. I haven't looked since. What sort of rights do we have, if any? I'm guessing that we can't instruct a gutterer to go on their land? I would be uncomfortable putting ladders up against their house and peering into the bedroom. As the houses are terraced, access is difficult, so nipping round while they're out is not a feasible option. We obviously don't want to go legal over such a small issue. Unfortunately I live 150 miles away so difficult to get directly involved.
Any advice?
Get a roofer out for a quote on rehanging his gutters? Should be around £200-300, depending on location. Then discuss it with him? Poorly hanging gutters may mean than in a few months he could have wet interior walls. There's a reason that gutters exist and should not allow water to overflow the side.
I'd start with putting up a ladder on your mother's side again first, there might be more muck that's blocking it. I need to clear some of our gutters every few months, some haven't needed clearing in years. Unless you can see from the ground that the gutter isn't properly levelled, I would say that bowing wouldn't be an issue.
paulwirral said:
re hang them on your mothers house and install a downpipe , she must have a drain somewhere at the back of the house ?
You'll never have a problem again .
Possibility, especially if the kitchen is at the rear. Barring that, up the ladder with a hose and see what's occurring.You'll never have a problem again .
Kitchen at the front, no drain at the rear. She spoke to him today, he said "You have a problem, not me." Getting gutter tradesman out tomorrow to take a look. Will cost, but if it is his side then getting something in writing from a 'professional' should help. Looking for a quicker fix, all gutterers are too busy to attend to do work.
How does he know for certain the problem is not caused by a defect in his section? Had very similar problem recently with overflowing gutter, caused by a blocked down pipe on neighbors side (semi detached house). Fortunately it was only just on their side so, i could reach it from the top of a ladder whilst still on my property. Out of politeness told them what I was doing and they were really thankful.
The useful bit for you might be: unblocking the gutter on the neighbors side from your side (if this will help the problem?)
dust pan & brush type brush, duc tape, lengths of wood, broom handles, etc etc.
tape brush to 1st bit of wood. Take up ladder, when at the top of the ladder clean everything you can reach, have assistant pass up another length of wood broom handle etc and tape, attach together and keep cleaning!
The useful bit for you might be: unblocking the gutter on the neighbors side from your side (if this will help the problem?)
dust pan & brush type brush, duc tape, lengths of wood, broom handles, etc etc.
tape brush to 1st bit of wood. Take up ladder, when at the top of the ladder clean everything you can reach, have assistant pass up another length of wood broom handle etc and tape, attach together and keep cleaning!
d to be blunt.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff