I live and own one side of a duplex and intend to move and keep it as rental property when it is paid off. The back section of the roof is shared with no division, just one continuous roof. Over a year ago, I noticed some shingles were loose and coming off of the back section of my side. I spoke with the neighbor and they did not have the funds to replace nor did they feel the need to as there were only a few shingles loose/missing on their side. After some time, my side developed some minor leaks. I approached the neighbor again but with the same response of "no money". In the meantime, I had my insurance company take a look and gave me a check for their estimate. The neighbor had her insurance company look at her side but they only told her to do a minor patch. I offered a solution of paying for the replacement myself and the neighbor could repay me in installments via a contract I had written up. She initially verbally agreed so I went forward and deposited my insurance companies check for the replacement (it was about to expire as I had been trying to convince the neighbor for about a year) and got hold of a contractor to do the roof. The neighbor then changed her mind and didn't sign the contract. I spoke with legal to see if I had any recourse and was told that if any repairs made to my side affected her side (leaks, etc) I would be liable. So no replacement was done.

I have since patched my side with tar (looks terrible) and the neighbor has let her side go into foreclosure! I have attempted to call her bank to see if they will work with me but to no avail. I'm starting to see leaks again and have no idea what to do. Any advice would be extremely helpful!! Thank you

Soggy in Springfield!

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Adjoining neighbor of my duplex won't agree to repair shared roof

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