Neighbours guttering problem *UPDATE*

Daisybaby1

Wasn't sure where to post this and thought this seemed like the most relevant place!

My neighbours guttering downpipe broke almost a year ago meaning that a lot of the rain we had over the winter that landed on their roof, ran all down the side of our house. Annoying, but we didn't say anything because we were sure that they would get it fixed soon. . . !

The builders have been round today (and are due back Monday to finish up) and they are having all of their guttering renewed. The downpipe was done today. It's a bit hard to explain exactly, but basically, it does not go into the ground, it kind of curves off at the bottom a few inches away from our fence and points at our fence. This wouldn't be a problem per se, but our house is only a metre away from that fence, a metre away from where all their rain water is now being directed!

My husband popped round there when he got home from work this afternoon to ask about it. Apparently there is a soak away under the ground. . . but they admitted that they have got damp in the corner of their house right at that point! He asked why it was pointing towards our house and not theirs, or out away from both houses, they basically didn't know and said they'd have a word with the builders when they come back Monday.

I wonder if anybody knows what the rules are regarding drainage of rain water? I can't seem to find what I am looking for online. Is it unreasonable of us to at least ask that they point it another way? (Not that it will make much difference though I suppose if there isn't adequate drainage, also I don't think they pointed it the other way because they had a new driveway a few weeks ago and wouldn't want all the rain running down that!)

The last thing we want is to fall out, hence why we never said anything about it being broken for nearly a year, but obviously we don't want our house to be damaged either! ? ?

*UPDATE*
Well, the builders have finished and the downpipe is still in place, but they have turned the end around so that it now faces outwards, rather than at our house! Not really going to make much difference! I spoke to building control who said that whilst unfortunate, it's not a matter for them because there have been no new buildings built. I just don't understand, I mean forgetting our house for a second, surely they wouldn't want their own house damaged?!

So now I'm stuck I know that damage is very possible, but have no idea what to do about it. If anybody has any advice at all I would be really grateful.

Thank you

Daisybaby1

Anyone?

Daisybaby1

Thank you Tweaker, I'll call them Monday morning

Daisybaby1

**updated**

Doozergirl

Where did the downpipe lead to before the guttering broke?

Daisybaby1

Thank you for replying

It used to go straight into the ground. Where exactly it went after that, we don't know, but my husband dug up the ground right next to it a few months back to replace the fence because the wooden posts had rotted and broken, the ground was soaking wet and there was no evidence of a soak away or pipes leading to one/a drain.

Doozergirl

I don't know what to say! It's not uncommon for this to happen but it a bad thing for the rainwater to empty so close to the houses. If they have damp in the corner of their house, it won't improve this way.

All you can do is impress upon them that they won't see a improvement and that it might get worse.

Digging a soakaway away from the house and running the drainage to it would be by far the best thing.

PasturesNew

I kept a beady eye on a conservatory the neighbour built - and was pleased to see the drainpipe was on the far side of it to me...... mean of me to feel glad as it's somebody else's problem, but, hey, that's a rental and I own mine, so it's not like the ll will probably ever notice/think etc. If it'd been on my side I'd have said "Oi - do you think you can move that mate, while you're still doing it"

Davesnave

In this situation, with no resolution, I'd invest in a perforated pipe and a dumpy bag of fine gravel and dig my own French drain to take the water away from the house.

If I was feeling particularly beastly, I might route it back towards the neighbour's drive/garden, depending on ground conditions, of course.

Sometimes, you have to accept that neighbours are too stupid, obtuse, or whatever, and just ameliorate problems they create. The alternatives of doing nothing, or having a dispute may be less attractive, especially if you may wish to sell in the foreseeable future.

Daisybaby1

Thank you all for your comments, I'm certainly going to have to do *something*, just not sure what yet