Chimneys and parapets
A shared stack was reflaunched on this side only. What of the neighbour's flues was not inspected?
The neighbour's flues were not inspected. Reflaunching on this side of a shared stack renews the mortar around pots on this roof only. It does not open the neighbour's flues, show their liners, or show whether their pots and flaunching are sound. The survey recorded the new work it could see on this side. It has not decided that the shared stack is in good order for both houses. Their condition is simply unknown from this side.
Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Written for buyers in England and Wales unless this answer says otherwise. No named surveyor has signed this page. It is general guidance, not a report on your house, and not legal advice.
What is the fuller explanation?
A party stack can hold several flues, some serving this house and some serving next door. Mortar haunching is a weathering detail at the top, not an internal inspection. Fresh flaunching can stop rain at the pots that were redone and still leave a cracked flue, a missing liner or an open pot on the neighbour's half. The surveyor was not in the neighbour's rooms and did not look down those flues. The new mortar must not be read as covering them.
Your solicitor can ask what was agreed about the shared stack, and whether any flue notice or previous repair mentions the neighbour's side. Access to that half is not something this report created. A chimney specialist can inspect flues that are within this property if instructed. Do not tell a lender the whole stack was overhauled because this side was reflaunched. The neighbour's flues remain outside the inspection. Shared masonry at the ridge does not grant access next door.
What should you ask your surveyor?
- Which pots were included in the new flaunching?
- Were any of the neighbour's flues opened or seen internally?
- Is there a note of who shares the stack, outside this report?
What are the typical next steps?
- Limit the reflaunching note to this side of the stack.
- Ask the solicitor what is known about the shared chimney.
- Do not describe the neighbour's flues as inspected.
Costs vary with the building and with who you instruct. Where this page does not cite a published figure, ask the surveyor, a relevant specialist, or your solicitor for a written quote. Do not treat a forum average as the price.
Also asked about this
Does new mortar prove the pots on this side are lined?
No. Flaunching beds the pots at the crown. It does not show a liner, a clear flue, or the condition lower down, even on this side. The survey saw the new mortar where it was visible. It did not sweep or camera any flue. Lining remains unconfirmed on the pots that were redone.
Could rain still enter at the neighbour's pots?
Yes, if those pots are cracked, open or poorly haunched, and this visit did not see them. Reflaunching on this side does not bridge across to the neighbour's crown. The survey has not decided the far side weathers properly. That half of the stack stays uninspected.