does a bath and toilet run into the same drainage pipe?

teedy23

I just had a note through the door from my neighbour. saying she has had sewage running into her bath and toilet and has had to get homeserve out to rod the drains. I think she wants to share the cost as we are 4 in a block. I have had blocked drains which affect the bath, basin and kitchen sink and have dealt with them myself over the past 9 years. When I had a small repair tended to on the roof, she kicked up merry hell at having to pay £25 and refuses to share the cost of repair to communal steps. Advice please:(

flashg67

What goes around, comes around - tell her to do one?

muddyl

Unless she can prove the the blockage has arisen from your self, i'd tell her to go bath in the sewage.
Most blockages are at street level and as such can be a result of any of the properties "down stream".
If you do go ahead and contribute, then bill her in the future for anything applicable.

The_Pedant

In addition to the points above, I would also ask what steps she followed to first seek agreement on any work to be undertaken on behalf of others (and therefore an opportunity to agree a fair cost etc).
If she has put her foot down in the past and said no to communal repairs then I would reply in kind.

The other point is at what point the blockage actually occurred in the pipes and whose responsibility the drains fall under. Was the blockage inside or outside the property boundary? Is there any point that you know of where sewers from different households meet? etc All of this can affect whose responsibility it is in law.

For some detail on responsibility, see here: http://ccwater.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/522

daggy

Tell her you'll deduct your payment from the money she already owes you for previous works that she failed to contribute to; then give her a xmas card with the remaining dosh she still owes you written on it.

KateLiana27

daggy wrote: »

Tell her you'll deduct your payment from the money she already owes you for previous works that she failed to contribute to; then give her a xmas card with the remaining dosh she still owes you written on it.

Great idea.

"Oh, I hadn't realised we were sharing the cost of drain repairs! I've had it done x times in 9 years. Let me pull out the receipts and work out how much you owe me".

SailorSam

I think the drains may depend on the age of the house. Mine was built about 1940 and has only 1 drain but more modern properties have 2.

27col

Her past attitude to paying for repairs has certainly improved her chances of getting any money from you. I don't think!