Damp in Stud Walls

With the plaster board removed, are you able to feel any dampness on the back of the board which faces the kitchen, where the "tide mark" is? And, have you investigated what's going on directly above these studs? Is there a wall directly above, containing pipes? Or, any possible water or moisture source in the attic?

You've got a lot of issues here. Damp, rot, doubt about the structural integrity and (sounds like) adjacent to a party wall. I think I'd seek a professional diagnosis if only to protect myself from liability issues with your neighbor. You definitely need to find out exactly how far this damage has spread into the adjacent walls/floor.

I doubt that the original 1847 construction included a load bearing stud wall. But quite a few homeowners and contractors have likely hacked around with the place since then ;-)

Whatever remedial action you take, be sure to locate the source of that water or any replacement studs will soon be rotting as well.

First you brace

Then you dismantle and inspect and repair. .

Thanks for the help guys. I'm going to get a builder in to look at it. I think that the problem has been caused by rising damp, as the studs in the partition are below the level of the current floor (and hence below the level of the DPM), although they are resting on slate.

Thanks again, And

Hire a professional.

Hire a professional.