Advice: Neighbour's drain

Biancazzurro · Feb 13, 2017

I've got a question about drains and thought the hive mind of NSC might be able to help, here goes:

My neighbour's drain runs under my fence to a manhole under the decking, it then turns a right angle and runs under our house to the main sewer. We need to move the part before any waste from our house joins it, who's responsibility is it? How would I find out if it is our responsibility to keep it working?!?

Thanks in advance

Jack Straw · Feb 13, 2017

If your next door neighbour gives you problems, I'd be inclined to sewer.

The Spanish · Feb 13, 2017

i would guess if its on your property, its your responsibility. its surely not common for them to run under another house anyway i understand, that seems bad luck for starters.

its not technically the responsibility of the water board until it hits the public highway (I think)

BN9 BHA · Feb 13, 2017

Anything to do wth moving drains is expensive, I hope you're feeling flush........ :wink:

Rambo · Feb 13, 2017

If it's shared and it's on your property even if you don't use it, it is the water company's responsibility. Good luck if it's Southern Water.

All the laws changed in 2011.

Soulman · Feb 13, 2017

Jack Straw said:
If your next door neighbour gives you problems, I'd be inclined to sewer.

That could turn out a waste.

Rambo · Feb 13, 2017

The Spanish said:
i would guess if its on your property, its your responsibility. its surely not common for them to run under another house anyway i understand, that seems bad luck for starters.

its not technically the responsibility of the water board until it hits the public highway (I think)

All completely wrong.

portlock seagull · Feb 13, 2017

Jack Straw said:
If your next door neighbour gives you problems, I'd be inclined to sewer.

So perfect it's as if you're in League with the OP!

drew · Feb 13, 2017

Not sure what your post actually is trying to say? Are you trying to re route the drain so it doesn't go under your house or so it doesn't go under the decking?

Either way, I think in respect of drains, if they are under your property then they're your responsibility. Best bet will be to contact the company that deals with your waste water.

Lindfield23 · Feb 13, 2017

Chuck some Anthrax through his letterbox

Job's a good 'un :thumbsup:

colinz · Feb 14, 2017

Biancazzurro said:
I've got a question about drains and thought the hive mind of NSC might be able to help, here goes:

My neighbour's drain runs under my fence to a manhole under the decking, it then turns a right angle and runs under our house to the main sewer. We need to move the part before any waste from our house joins it, who's responsibility is it? How would I find out if it is our responsibility to keep it working?!?

Thanks in advance

So your neighbour's drain runs across your property to join up with the main sewer line ?

Then your drain line runs into this branch line that comes from your neighbour's property, then this sewer line (servicing your neighbour's property then your property) then connects into the main sewer line ?

Is the connection (an easement) to the main sewer line from where yours and the neighbour's shared line connect to it, located anywhere on your property ?

Or does the sewer line that carries the waste from your property and your neighbour's property join the Main sewer line, on another property or council controlled land?

And what is the reason why you need to move your sewer line ?

knocky1 · Feb 14, 2017

Problem with drains is you may find a much bigger job than planned.

BN9 BHA · Feb 14, 2017

knocky1 said:
Problem with drains is you may find a much bigger job than planned.

And these jobs always get bogged down with paperwork.......

Paul Reids Sock · Feb 14, 2017

Biancazzurro said:
I've got a question about drains and thought the hive mind of NSC might be able to help, here goes:

My neighbour's drain runs under my fence to a manhole under the decking, it then turns a right angle and runs under our house to the main sewer. We need to move the part before any waste from our house joins it, who's responsibility is it? How would I find out if it is our responsibility to keep it working?!?

Thanks in advance

Rambo said:
If it's shared and it's on your property even if you don't use it, it is the water company's responsibility. Good luck if it's Southern Water.

All the laws changed in 2011.

Very much this. It is the water companies responsibility the second that it crosses the property boundary even if it is single serving. Next door will be head of run so you will need to ensure that all work is done correctly or they may self flood. There used to be a rule (and I think it is still in place) that should you make any changes to the public sewerage system then you become the owner for it unless you can have it adopted. the problem with getting it adopted is that you have a lot of red tape to go through.

You would need to contact the sewerage supplier should you wish to make any changes, however unless there is a valid reason then they will simply say no (if it is the company that I spent 7 years with). I guess the main question is why you wish to move it and where to?

If it is for an extension that a build over agreement would be far less costly. I guess if it is a swimming pool then you would need to also get a discharge license I believe to ensure that you do not overload the system when emptying it.

NooBHA · Feb 14, 2017

Biancazzurro said:
I've got a question about drains and thought the hive mind of NSC might be able to help, here goes:

My neighbour's drain runs under my fence to a manhole under the decking, it then turns a right angle and runs under our house to the main sewer. We need to move the part before any waste from our house joins it, who's responsibility is it? How would I find out if it is our responsibility to keep it working?!?

Thanks in advance

My advice is - Get the patio dug up. Once you discover the identity the body under it then it should become clear who's problem it is.

AmexRuislip · Feb 14, 2017

Apologies, but on the subject of drains and all things waste, have just seen this on TV, really....................!

brakespear · Feb 14, 2017

Jack Straw said:
If your next door neighbour gives you problems, I'd be inclined to sewer.

class.

Biancazzurro · Feb 14, 2017

Wow thanks for all of the replies, both the puns and ones packed of info.

I got my pens out and have drawn a diagram to show what I'm banging on about. We plan on taking the deck up and having an extension, it would fill in the space on the side and go back a few metres too. We'd end up with the manhole on our new kitchen and are debating between moving it or having a sealed hatch. Got us thinking how do we have our neighbours' waste flowing under our home anyway!?

Bold Seagull · Feb 14, 2017

Biancazzurro said:
Wow thanks for all of the replies, both the puns and ones packed of info.

I got my pens out and have drawn a diagram to show what I'm banging on about. We plan on taking the deck up and having an extension, it would fill in the space on the side and go back a few metres too. We'd end up with the manhole on our new kitchen and are debating between moving it or having a sealed hatch. Got us thinking how do we have our neighbours' waste flowing under our home anyway!?

Is there anything else joining from beyond your neighbours side? If not and it is as you've drawn in, then in practice until your drain joins the sewer it is a private sewer as it serves only 1 property i.e. your neighbour. However, as soon as yours joins it it becomes a 'public sewer' and you will not be able to build over that part forward or divert it unless you complete a Build Over application to the water authority (which isn't cheap).

https://www.southernwater.co.uk/build-over-public-sewer

jackanada · Feb 14, 2017

Mustafa is right.
Whatever you do keep the manhole accessible somehow.
The only good news is that should the drains back up the water company has to come sort it free of charge.

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