I have a question.
I recently bought a building that had a catwalk and stairs attached to a building across the alley. I do not own the 2nd building.that I do not own.
We share an alley.
The stairs to the catwalk were built in 1914 when one owner owned both buildings.
My insurance company said they would not insure the building with the staircase because it is unsafe.
I had a structural engineer come out and tell me that although the catwalk was sound it was a dangerous catwalk and stairway. It should come down.
The catwalk and staircase are not built to code.
I talked to the municipal codes inspector and she said she would not get involved because she believed it was a disagreement between 2 building owners.
The Safety office for the town said to put up signs saying unsafe, do not use, not liable for injuries and contact an attorney.
I contacted 2 attorneys who said it was personal property, unsafe and there were not property encumbrances. Take it down.
The police chief said that if I took it down without a permit he would put me in jail and take me to civil and criminal court.
They are meeting today to determine what to do.
I did file for a permit and they are taking weeks to determine what to do.
What am I missing here?
Dr. Janet
I recently bought a building that had a catwalk and stairs attached to a building across the alley. I do not own the 2nd building.that I do not own.
We share an alley.
The stairs to the catwalk were built in 1914 when one owner owned both buildings.
My insurance company said they would not insure the building with the staircase because it is unsafe.
I had a structural engineer come out and tell me that although the catwalk was sound it was a dangerous catwalk and stairway. It should come down.
The catwalk and staircase are not built to code.
I talked to the municipal codes inspector and she said she would not get involved because she believed it was a disagreement between 2 building owners.
The Safety office for the town said to put up signs saying unsafe, do not use, not liable for injuries and contact an attorney.
I contacted 2 attorneys who said it was personal property, unsafe and there were not property encumbrances. Take it down.
The police chief said that if I took it down without a permit he would put me in jail and take me to civil and criminal court.
They are meeting today to determine what to do.
I did file for a permit and they are taking weeks to determine what to do.
What am I missing here?
Dr. Janet
