Who should pay for removal of neighbours' redundant water tank from my loft?

[cecilenice]

Hello,I own the top floor flat (+ non converted loft) of an old Victorian house in London. The house has 5 flats and each flat owns a share (1/5th) of the freehold. The water tank of my downstairs neighbours is located in my loft. The flat was recently sold to and converted by a property investment company. Following the buildings works, the water now comes directly into their flat from the mains, which means that the old tank in the roof is redundant.Their team of builders mentioned that they could remove the old water tank and dispose of it. They will come to take a look at it soon.What is unclear to me is who is supposed to pay for the removal of the tank. It could be quite an expensive job, especially as there could be asbestos involved.Whilst in use, I couldn't have disposed of it if I had wanted to. But now that they have made it redundant, can I force them to remove it and pay for it? What if I did not have it done now (I understand that it can be quite a messy job) but only in a few years time when I want to convert the loft? Could I ask the (potentially new) owners to pay for the removal?Thanks in advance,Cecile

[Openlaw15]

Re: Who should pay for removal of neighbours' redundant water tank from my loft?

Hello,I own the top floor flat (+ non converted loft) of an old Victorian house in London. The house has 5 flats and each flat owns a share (1/5th) of the freehold. The water tank of my downstairs neighbours is located in my loft. The flat was recently sold to and converted by a property investment company. Following the buildings works, the water now comes directly into their flat from the mains, which means that the old tank in the roof is redundant.Their team of builders mentioned that they could remove the old water tank and dispose of it. They will come to take a look at it soon.What is unclear to me is who is supposed to pay for the removal of the tank. It could be quite an expensive job, especially as there could be asbestos involved.Whilst in use, I couldn't have disposed of it if I had wanted to. But now that they have made it redundant, can I force them to remove it and pay for it? What if I did not have it done now (I understand that it can be quite a messy job) but only in a few years time when I want to convert the loft? Could I ask the (potentially new) owners to pay for the removal?Thanks in advance,Cecile

Well if the building work made it necessary to have a now unnecessary old tank, perhaps they should be liable for the costs involved. The builders will probably move it for nothing if that's what they were contracted to do anyway.