Neighbours drain blocked, I'm the one suffering, any advice?
Discussion
Bit long winded but I'll try to be concise...
About a fortnight ago the manhole in my garage filled up with crap and flooded it.
Got man out to clear the blocked drain, appeared that the blockage was some 16m away (next door or next door but one). Cost £50.
2 weeks later same thing again, man comes to clear blockage and this time does a cctv survey. Turns out the blockage is a drain rod that's been snapped off. Cost £125.
I see next door neighbour to explain that drain man thinks the blockage is about where their outside khazi is.
Neighbour says their neighbour has been doing DIY plumbing, clearing drains, capping off the outside khazi etc. This is directly next to where their plumbing is so could be the cause.
Contact drain man again, he says he'll do a sonar scan which will pinpoint the exact location so I know who needs their property digging up to clear it. Cost £120.
Now my problem is this neighbour, whichever one it is, is blissfully unaware of this problem. It is just me whose having my drains filling up with crap and flooding the garage as I'm the last house in the run.
If it isn't fixed soon I could be shelling out £50 per fortnight for unblocking.
When I do find out who is responsible there are a few questions;-
1. Is the neighbour responsible for the full cost of repair (estimated £1000 - £1200)
2. What if they refuse as they are not suffering any consequences?
3. Any delay in getting it fixed will mean I get another blockage, another £50, and by this time we will know who's responsible. Who pays that?
4. What about the £300 odd quid I've already shelled out on something that is not even a problem with MY property, just a consequence of someone elses?
Any advise welcome.
Edit: Mods please don't move this to the 'Homes' etc bit - I'd kinda like a few responses. Ta
About a fortnight ago the manhole in my garage filled up with crap and flooded it.
Got man out to clear the blocked drain, appeared that the blockage was some 16m away (next door or next door but one). Cost £50.
2 weeks later same thing again, man comes to clear blockage and this time does a cctv survey. Turns out the blockage is a drain rod that's been snapped off. Cost £125.
I see next door neighbour to explain that drain man thinks the blockage is about where their outside khazi is.
Neighbour says their neighbour has been doing DIY plumbing, clearing drains, capping off the outside khazi etc. This is directly next to where their plumbing is so could be the cause.
Contact drain man again, he says he'll do a sonar scan which will pinpoint the exact location so I know who needs their property digging up to clear it. Cost £120.
Now my problem is this neighbour, whichever one it is, is blissfully unaware of this problem. It is just me whose having my drains filling up with crap and flooding the garage as I'm the last house in the run.
If it isn't fixed soon I could be shelling out £50 per fortnight for unblocking.
When I do find out who is responsible there are a few questions;-
1. Is the neighbour responsible for the full cost of repair (estimated £1000 - £1200)
2. What if they refuse as they are not suffering any consequences?
3. Any delay in getting it fixed will mean I get another blockage, another £50, and by this time we will know who's responsible. Who pays that?
4. What about the £300 odd quid I've already shelled out on something that is not even a problem with MY property, just a consequence of someone elses?
Any advise welcome.
Edit: Mods please don't move this to the 'Homes' etc bit - I'd kinda like a few responses. Ta
Edited by maxrider on Wednesday 4th November 11:26
Update: The sonar scan found the blockage is two doors down where their outside bog was capped off.
The guy that did the survey says that me and my next door neighbour are responsible for the cost but not the guy that has the blockage
Next door neighbours are pensioners and look like they're going to be awkward about coughing up (about £1000 not including the £300 I've already spent). Guy with blockage's mum was there and also was rather reticent saying it's not her sons fault but the previous owner.
My insurance won't cover as it was 'accidental damage'.
Think I'm going to get stung here
The guy that did the survey says that me and my next door neighbour are responsible for the cost but not the guy that has the blockage
Next door neighbours are pensioners and look like they're going to be awkward about coughing up (about £1000 not including the £300 I've already spent). Guy with blockage's mum was there and also was rather reticent saying it's not her sons fault but the previous owner.
My insurance won't cover as it was 'accidental damage'.
Think I'm going to get stung here
mk1fan said:
1. You instructed the sonar scan so you're liable for the cost. However, you should be able to reclaim the cost, after you've paid the invoice, from the 'offending' neighbour.
That's not the issue, I've paid for that. It's who's paying the grand or more for digging it up that's bothering me.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff