Buying a house and Drainage search

kroos

Hi

We are close to exchange on the property that we are buying.

However, I have received the drainage search today from my solicitor and it shows there is main surface water sewer within the property boundary. The sewer us at the fron under the driveway. Not sure what to make of it.

Is this something that I need to be worried about.

Thanks

jbainbridge

It's likely that you will be unable to build over the sewer - though possibly with the agreement of the water company. This may not be an issue - depends on the position.

Doozergirl

What size does the search map say the main is?

kroos

The main is on the ther side of the road.

The map shows surface water sewer going across the driveway so it!!!8217;s not under the house.

We may do the driveway in the future so would we need to get the permission?

AlexMac

I wouldn't worry about it and unless you plan to excavate a huge hole in the driveway, I certainly wouldn't even think to mention re-surfacing to the water authority.

This is really common; many houses have drains running through their gardens, or even under the house. My house has a foul sewer running underneath it from Victorian Houses in an adjacent street, and there are inspection hatches ("Manholes" in pre-pc nomenclature!) in the rear yard, in the road out front (technically my property as it's a private, unadopted road) and also inside what used to be the garage. We converted the latter to an en-suited spare room and even plumbed an additional khazi to the original cluster of soil-runs; all done with building control approval. So we have an airtight hatch under the wooden fllors; and I bet it will never need opening, nor has it been since the house was built.

So I woudn't worry abour some rainwater running under the forecourt!