Compensation New Build

Sarah_pink

We bought a new house from a nationwide house builder in July.
We were called to a meeting in December to be told that we have an extra manhole and foul waste pipe running though our garden that shouldn't be there. The house builder is trying to rectify the situation but one of the neighbours wont allow them on their property due to another dispute so they are unable to complete a drain survey. We have been waiting for 4 months for the house builder to rectify the situation (which will mean them digging up most of our garden). In the meeting, the representatives showed us 2 plans, one, that we signed when we reserved which is how the drains should be and another of how the drains actually are on our property. The house builder has accepted responsibility and they want to correct the mistake but are unable to until they have gained access to the house of the uncooperative neighbour. In the meeting we were told that they weren't sure how long this would take.
They said that they will discuss compensation with us all individually (it affects 4 other houses) but I'm not sure how much we should ask for. Does anyone have any ideas? They said that we will be compensated for the inconvenience and the disruption.
Thanks

shaun_from_Africa

My opinion would be for you to get together with the owners of the other 4 houses, nominate one person to speak for all of you then make an appointment to see a solicitor. (It might be best to use of the solicitors who was involved in the purchase of one of the properties).
If you all split the cost 5 ways, I doubt if it would too expensive.

lewishardwick

What inconvenience are you experiencing?

If your garden is dug up now, will it cause major problems? What if it's dug up in July or August?

Compensation for something like this, I'd be expecting to have the garden fully landscaped to my specification without question...

Sarah_pink

I have a list. The frustrating thing is that we can't make plans for the garden this summer. We all thought it would be sorted by this point. When they eventually do start, we will have a time when the garden is out of use until turf establishes. We have young children so not a great situation.

gettingtheresometime

Have these been adopted?

Also when you say you have an extra foul sewer I'm assuming it's connected to the main sewer whether directly or indirectly. Is it any way connected to the house?

With regards to the survey what's the purpose of that? Is it to see where the drain is connected? I've seen a couple of sewer surveys and in reality it's a man with a cable camera so why does the developer need access to the other household's land?

Which part of the U.K. are you in?