How do I get my mother's neighbour to do something about a very poorly shower he has installed the other side of the party wall? My mother's sitting room side of the party wall is very damp, the wallpaper has peeled off and the plaster has blown. The neighbour has done nothing about this even though I first approached him about the problem in November 2006. I have seen the shower installation and it is pretty useless, there is no tiling on the walls and the plaster has black plastic bin liners attached as water protection and the plastic trim around the edge of the shower tray is coming adrift. What can I do to get this guy to do something?

Tony - thanks for your reply to my problem. The party wall is solid and the floors are timber. The propereties were built about 1926. I intend phoning the local council (London Borough of Barnet) as you suggest

Very sorry to hear that -- the peasants! Typical of a cash strapped unhelpful LA.

Surveyor then.

You may find that they have done some work to the party walll to install the shower in which case you could appoint a party wall surveyor to deal with it at their expense. They should be able to clarify whether they can deal with it without charging you an initial consultation fee.

I would also contact your insurance company, They will assess the problem and may take over dealing with it including suing your neighbour for the cost of repairing the damage.

You should probably put something in writing now to your neighbour confirming in the letter when you first raised the issue with them and stating that the problem still persists and needs to be dealt with urgently.