Blocked toilet-venting!

SuziQ

Our sewage,plus someone elses drains into next door neighbour where it joins the main sewage pipes. 7 years ago our neighbours had an extension built,and the garage part goes over the manhole cover (on their property.) We have never had a problem until now,but tonight our toilets wouldn't flush,stuff was backing up, and they wouldn't let us have access to the manhole (my ex is a plumber and when lived here prior to their extension the previous owner gladly let him have access to sort the problem out as it cost none of us anything.)
Next doors son said he would have a go at it,and admittedly the water has gone down in the loo but he has said he can still see it is blocked in there with loads of toilet paper and that his dad is going to call a plumber tomorrow. We have been told not to use it-I have 2 children here and am ironically recovering from bowel surgey and need the loo about 6 times a day.I have had to drive to a local tesco twice tonight to use their loo,whilst the kids have had the fun of using a bucket!
The inference has been that they will choose the plumber but WE will foot the bill.I expect they will get someone like dynarod with whizz-bang equipment whilst I foot the bill. I don't see why I should use whatever expensive plumber/whatever they choose when I can get it done by a fully qualified family member for free, but they are still denying access even though they know him well from when he used to live here and have never had an issue with him-he actually fixed a leaking radiator for them once for free. He has said he will recommend another plumber who is reasonable if they don't want him,but they are refusing us any say in any of this.
Who would be the best person to talk to about this? I can't afford a solicitor as I am on Income support-I feel they are being unreasonable and understood from when we bought the property that they were required to allow reasonable access to a shared sewer manhole.

dander

I think you should be straight with your neighbours. It doesn't sound like you have any ongoing problems with them, so maybe they've just got "how clean is your house" style horrors going on and they are embarrassed to let anyone in. I reckon your best bet is to just tell them that you don't have the money to pay for part of the plumbing bill and that is why you want your ex to sort it for free. Just be clear to them that you can't/won't pay for an alternative plumber, so they have the choice of either letting your ex in or footing the bill for an alternative themselves.

TBH blocked drains are not hard to clear, just unpleasant. With a set of drain rods and a hose, any of you could probably get the blockage moving without need for plumbers.

ormus

utility companies have the legal right to enter any property to maintain their service.
its called a wayleave right.
i suspect you also have similar rights under the easement right.
afaik shared sewers come under easement rules.