Possible drain problem

[Grandad Gaz]

This is probably more legal than anything, but I hope someone can help:

I'll try and keep it short

We are currently renovating a Grade 2 semi detatched cottage for our own use. All planning was approved about a year ago and we have been steadily, all be it rather slowly, getting on with it.

We had an architect prepare and submit all drawings, including building regs.
Part of the works involved altering the drains to the rear of the property. This meant doing away with some of the existing drains and re routing them to suit the new kitchin, bathrooms etc. The architect did a good job on this which included making sure they were deep enough to pass under the new extension.

We accounted for all existing drain connections to the manholes. So, that's an architect, 3 plumbers and a builder, all of who agreed!

About 2 months ago we carried out all this work and had them tested and checked by the building inspector. No problems at all.

A couple of days ago our next door neighbour said we had one of her manholes in our garden.
All her drains run the other side of her house, or so I thought. There are no manholes in her back garden at all. She is waiting to hear from her odd job man to verify where her drains run!

Surely things like that are included in the deeds and highlighted by the land searches?

If I was a cynic, I would say that the previous owner withheld that info in case it affected the house sale! Perhaps I should chase them for compensation?

Thanks

[Busamav]

Drain runs will not appear on the deeds , or land searches, it is quite commone for drain runs to pass onto adjacent properties.

What is the problem with the drains that has arisen , or has she just made a statement ?.

[Grandad Gaz]

Busamav said:

Drain runs will not appear on the deeds , or land searches, it is quite commone for drain runs to pass onto adjacent properties.

What is the problem with the drains that has arisen , or has she just made a statement ?.

If they did connect into our drains, then they don't anymore!

And if they did, they certainly did not appear in a manhole. Must have joined somewhere underground.

[Busamav]

I would suggest you start to try to find a solution asap , as there is going to be a big pile of " solution" under ground on your land .

It is almost certainly going to fall on your shoulders to rectify this .

[Simpo Two]

If her drains had been disconnected two months ago I think she'd have been round a bit sooner than now!

Anyway, isn't anything on your land yours, and she just has lien/access to it?

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 1st July 22:28

[Grandad Gaz]

Ok, thanks for the help.

As Simpo says, there should have beeen a clause in the deeds or something, to allow access from next door.

I'll go around and double check for myself. I know it can't be all of her drains as I would have discovered that by now!

It's a big house she has. At worst it could be one of the bathrooms in the main part of the house which she rarely uses. The good thing about these plastic manhole chambers is there are plenty of spare connections.

Thanks again

[Busamav]

Grandad Gaz said:

Ok, thanks for the help.

As Simpo says, there should have beeen a clause in the deeds or something, to allow access from next door.

That isn't the case Gaz , most houses I see and survey have a common drain running across neighbours property.

[herbialfa]

^^^^ What he said!

& I have the samething myself!

My neighbours drain runs right across the width of my bungalow to the rear to a man hole on the drive which is where my drainage connects!

Then that drain runs to the next bungalow!

[Simpo Two]

Yes but they don't OWN the drain that's under your land - do they? However you might be responsible for maintaining it I suppose.