Blocking a drain/manhole?

m5rcc

Good afternoon all,

I wonder if anyone would be able to help or give guidance. I have gone through some posts and although there are some common themes, they don’t really answer my question.

I live in a Victorian end of terrace property where I share the drains with my neighbour. Access to the drains to the rear property can be accessed by two manholes which are in my neighbour’s garden. Having overheard a conversation in the garden, I understand he intends to ‘block’ the drain and cover up the manhole. It would appear he conducted a series of flushes and running water to see if it was a ’dead’ drain to see if any water passed through, without either the person who came to do the job nor my neighbour having the foresight to realise that it could be a shared drain and that the drain may be for my waste waters (which it is as my bath, kitchen and washing machine waste water).

As such, this is an intention, although nothing has done be done yet. Am I right in thinking that he has zero rights whatsoever to cover, let alone block this drain? From what I understand of the recent changes in the law made in October 2011, shared drains are now under the jurisdiction of the water company, whereby the ownership and maintenance for private sewers and lateral drains was transferred to them. As such, unless they have had the permission by Thames Water to move and reroute it elsewhere, they can’t. Is that the case?

I’ve already had issue with the neighbour in the past with drains having blocked the other manhole with their in-sink garburator causing a blockage and having to go through insurers to conduct CCTV surveys and reroute damaged pipes.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

Mr_Ted

Manholes are there for a purpose, to access the drains in case of problems and they SHOULD NOT BE BLOCKED OR COVERED:(

In the 1st place it would be important to check ALL inlets AND outlets from the manholes, as they WILL be there for a purpose, there not put in for decoration;)

I would approach your neighbor and politely ask his intention, and point out that your waste water is directed through his property, which is NOT uncommon, and if necessary prove it by running water or flushing a loo in your property and watching where it runs from in the manhole:)

IF he carrys out your belief, considering that this has not been confirmed, then contact your local Water Board as this will be a serious issue, and a likely health hazard, if you are correct in the belief of his intentions:(

ValHaller

Often the right to run drainage across a neighbour's property is enshrined in deeds. Research yours. There are plenty of fools for neighbours, but only a fool would build over something you have a right of entry to repair.

keystone

Follow Ted's advice. Man's an idiot (the neighbour of course).

Cheers