Hi,

I live in a semi detached house which has a shared chimney at the back. It is redundant and the chimney breast has been taken out of both my house and my neighbours. I'm doing some work on the roof and would like to remove it, but my neighbours are being difficult and want to keep it. I have offered to remove it and bare all the costs, but they won't budge.

Is it possible for me to remove my half of the chimney and rebuild their half? I know this would be difficult, but i have to do something as the weight of the chimney is causing problems. Is this possible from a building perspective? Plus what are the legal issues?

Thanks

John

" the weight of the chimney is causing problems " ??? .... is this due to the removal of the chimney breasts not being done properly ? (ie the remaining stack no longer being properly supported). If this is the case then surely you should be talking to the cowboy who removed the chimney breasts and if the cowboy work was done by (or for) your neighbour then I would get a structural surveyor in to write a report and if the structural issues are with your neighbours side I would use this as leverage to get the neighbour to act.... if they are shown proof it is unsafe and they choose to ignore it they will be putting your lives in danger and they will surely be liable for any subsequent damage or injury- they should be reminded that their public lability cover ( which they may well have as part of their house insurance ) may not pay out if the risk was deliberately ignored.