My neighbor is absolutely refusing to contribute to the repair costs for our shared roof. We live in a small two-story building and it's clearly divided between us. What can I actually do to force him to pay his share?
The most important thing is to check your property deed and the co-ownership syndicate (if there is one) to see exactly what's legally required, because without that you have no leverage to force him.
After that, if it's clearly written that it's a shared expense, you can send him a registered letter putting him on notice, and if he really refuses, you'll have to go through a lawyer or the courts, but it's going to be long and expensive.
I agree with what they're telling you about the deed, but honestly even with that in hand, forcing someone to pay is a hassle - you'll probably have to go through a bailiff or a lawyer for a formal notice to pay, then potentially through the courts if your neighbor digs in his heels.
In the meantime, try sending him a registered letter with proof of receipt where you clearly lay out your share, the quotes, all that stuff, because sometimes the guy just realizes it's serious business when it arrives through official mail. If nothing works out, you can also explore with your building management (if there is one) whether they can step in directly - sometimes they're the ones who handle this kind of thing and have more clout than just a regular co-owner.
Before doing anything, send a formal demand letter by registered mail clearly explaining the situation and the deadline for him to pay his share - it's a document you're really going to want to have if this ends up in court!
That said, what people often forget is that even if your deed is super clear, legal timelines can be long and you might end up having to cover court costs yourself while waiting for reimbursement, so think carefully about whether it's really worth it before starting the process.
If he keeps refusing after the demand letter, then yeah you'll need to get a lawyer or bailiff involved to actually force him to pay, but honestly the emotional and financial toll before getting there is often more significant than people realize.
If your neighbor ignores the formal notice, you can take him to small claims court for a payment lawsuit - it's not free and it takes time, but it's often faster than a bailiff and it leaves an official record that carries real weight when you actually need to force him to pay.
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