my neighbour has had new guttering put in at the back of his property, my guttering joined he,s before and now it doint, the builder has end capped his inside my back garden and also done mine the same, there is now a 5mm gap and the water is running through the gap and my end cap is leaking, i also never gave the builder permission to enter my back garden, i now have two leaks and a gap in my guttering . advise please someone many thanks

shaun, February 2010

thanks bob

shaun, March 2010

The first thing you MUST do is take a closeup digital picture of the gap showing both stop ends then draw back on close up to get a wider view, ensure camera is set to print date and time on the photos you use this as evedence and its easier than trying to explain.
Then ask your neighbour to come and see how the builder left the guttering which is leaking on your side and tell him the gap could cause damp on your wall. If he's not co-operative then goe by way of council then legal.

Personally I feel the neighbour requested the gutters to be separated which I believe is illegal and should have remained joined simply because of the fall of the gutter which depends on down pipe positions.
This gap would cause damp on your wall for which the neighbour becomes liable. Seek further advice from building control office of local council ask if you could go to the office and speak to someone and shown them the pictures.
Just for the record mainenance access cannot be refused but out of politeness you should have been told by either the builder or neghbour prior to works being carried out.

Seek legal advice some give free advice for first half hour ask at ciitizens advice centre, and if you are mortgaged seek further advice from your lender they may be interested regarding the damp situation as it is in their interest to ensure property is kept in good repair, they may send your neighbour notice to have it put right at his expense.
Main thing don't back down on having the gutter re-joined it's the only way to solve it.
Post how you get on using the answer question form

Bob, March 2010

what are the building regulations re space between brackets holding roof guttering

john, March 2010