Grenfell coach house trap?

Do you have a lease or freeholder agreement? Your liabilities should be set out in that document. I would go over that with a fine toothcombe. I would also ask the resident management company on what basis they believe that you are liable for these costs asking for relevant documentation.

Reply to the comment left by Marlena Topple at 13/01/2026 – 10:43
I think you have succinctly answered the whole Q.
Thx.

From the brief facts you have provided, it could be that your neighbours have a liability to you to sort the failings, as they may have rendered your property potentially unsafe (and unsaleable).
You may wish to get a building surveyor to advise the issues and risks to you.

Assuming the neighbouring building is newer – was there a party wall agreement and if so, what are its provisions?

If they are a lay management company (i.e. writing to you without the benefit of legal advice) it might be they don’t recognise the full ramifications.
Without any further information, it appears that any costs payable by you should only relate to your property rather than theirs (and such costs may be recoverable under your home insurance).

I agree with the suggestion to enquire the basis that your neighbours believe that you are liable for costs, but this may not be productive in a timely way and you should consider asking a property solicitor to detail your own legal position and ask them to write on your behalf to the management company asap. It doesn’t need to be a fight – but safety is the priority, so ideally working with rather then against your neighbours to get remedial works done as soon as possible is essential.

I don’t quite follow. Poster owns the coach house.
The RMC is the man.co. for the building abutting the Poster’s coach house and is not the RMC for Poster’s coach house?
So if this is correct then the Poster’s ownership documents should set out ownership of this party wall.
This should have been due diligence of the RMCs surveyor and the Poster should have been contacted by the surveyor and the respective liabilities clarified including building insurance coverage.
If it is a party wall or not then it will be in the original coach house deeds available from Land registry.

Catherine, you write: “It costs a lot to take lawyers to defend my position.”

That may be true, but it could cost you much more not to get professional help to defend your position. A letter from a solicitor to the management company will be much more effective than you saying: “I’ve been told … ” or “I think…” Before you know it you will have a claim against you that you have to defend.

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 13/01/2026 – 14:26
My most recent quote from a solicitor was £350 per hour plus VAT. If this helps?