Buying a house with culvert?

Wig

I am considering buying a house that has a clean water culvert on the border (but within the boundary). It is a sloping culvert from the under the road at the front of the property , down the hill under the driveway and garden, and exits into a ditch at the bottom in a pony paddock. Total length about 15 metres and sloping down about 5m in height.

It used to be a ditch, but present owner built an extension and created the culvert. It does not run under the house, it is about 2m away at it’s nearest and 4m away at the furthest point.

On the other side of the road I am guessing it is a ditch before going under the road.

There are no inspection pits on “my property” I would have though an inspection pit would have been a good idea, beside the road front, and further another down the slope.

He got planning permission in 2004, we are checking with the council that he had permission to culvert the ditch… probably did as it is under the driveway now.

Should I be concerned about being a Reparian Owner?

Would this stop mortgage companies from lending on the property? I am a cash buyer.


Thanks for your advice.

G_M

Sounds like you might have fishing rights. Install an inspection chamber, and then charge punters by the hour to use it for fishing.

Watch out for flood risk though.......

marksoton

Wig wrote: »

Would this stop mortgage companies from lending on the property? I am a cash buyer.

.

If you're a cash buyer why do you give a hoot what mortgage companies think ? Unless you're worried about resale....

A 12 year old culvert shouldn't be a problem in itself but i'd want to know what flows are feeding it.

silvercar

We have a culvert. Wasn't an issue for our mortgage lender.

RDG

Having a watercourse running through your property will make you a riparian owner, the EA Living on the edge document at the link below should give you a guide on what this means.

Living on the Edge

As said above it is relatively recent and therefore shouldn't be a problem provided it is well built and sized for the peak flow of the ditch during extreme events. You should also check it regularly to ensure that the inlet isnt blocked with debris.