Hi Folks, I would appreciate some advice regarding a property issue. We have owned a property in the Limousin/Nouvelle Aquitaine for 6 years which is in a medieval town. The property is effectively a terraced house albeit with garage and courtyards etc:
The adjoining property has been empty since we moved in and is owned by a couple where unfortunately the marriage failed. The adjoining property has been for sale for the entire time we have been here, but like a good many properties, the renovation costs would exceed the market value because it has been left to deteriorate considerably.
We are talking holes in the roof letting in water, one corner of the building breaking away and some serious structural issues. I speak with some degree of knowledge having run building related business in the UK prior to retirement.
The problem we are facing is that the wall that adjoins our courtyard has started bowing out considerably. Having seen inside the property, the floor and joists that tie into the wall at this point have rotted away completely due to prolonged water ingress.
To exacerbate the problem the guttering leaked for many years and the water cascading down the wall has washed away all of the infill material and it is now possible to see daylight through the wall in the area that is bulging outwards. In my opinion, having found freshly fallen stones in our courtyard, a substantial collapse is merely a matter of time, with all the dangers and problem that could create.
I will photograph the bulging section, but I would appreciate some guidance regarding the procedure for drawing attention to this problem, employingh structural experts etc; because I would doubt that this couple have maintained insurance cover on the property.
Many thanks in advance
Pat