Internal manhole not in regs and drainage problems

sophie2006

I am trying to sell my property and recently discovered an internal manhole in the basement which was turned into a playroom bathroom and kitchen in the mid/late 90's. The house was converted to two flats mid 70's and the manhole was there then.

I have now been told the manhole is not within regs and the reason we discovered it was it was used to unblock sewage from the properties somewhere in the front garden.

The flat is leasehold and the freeholder converted the house to flats but I have now been told the drainage and outlet in front garden is not suitable for the property at all. The freeholder now states that the conversion of basement was done without permission but it was a change of use and so long ago and it has had Completion Certificates by Local Authority from 1999.

There is now a big query as to what needs to be done, freeholder states it is my issue due to all the internal changes and extra bathroom but all this work was carried out before I bought the property.

Where do I start? Do I tell them the problems and enforce the freeholder?

I am really concerned as the Water Company have come out and state that my basement may have to be dug up because of the manhole not meeting regulations and state it is a health and safety risk.

Any advice would be most greatly received.

keystone

Yes its a health and safety issue not an access issue. Manholes in situations like this need to be double sealed. I'd trot along for a friendly chat with Building Control and see what they advise before you let the water company bully you too much. Your own independent buildings surveyor would be a good idea too in due course.

Oh and its not relevant that the work was done before you bought it. The lease is yours now together with any pre-existing problems. Freeholder is wriggling though IMO and isn't entirely without responsibility as it was him that did the original conversion if nothing else. Don't let him off the hook. You probably will end up sharing the cost.

sophie2006

Thanks Keystone. I dont think I can go to Buildings Control as the Freeholder is the Council and not sure if I am opening a can of worms. The Water company have been fine and unblocked the sewage back up and they are the ones who have been giving me answers and not the freeholder. The problem now has been identified as inadequate equipment in the garden so that is the Freeholders issue I believe, just dont know what to do about all the pipes in the manhole, so many from all the work that has been done but it was all signed off by buildings control but as things currently stand I could have a splurge of sewage in my home at any time but they are not accepting any of this information and ignorning requests to do the work.