Possible Joint Water Supply?

Exodi

xylophone wrote: »

Has a bill never been raised for either property......?

I don't think the question of requesting Mrs DIL provided a bill for the other property was asked. I don't know how we could expect her to provide it. I'd imagine she has had a bill for her property (though she may not be aware that the bills is actually for both).

eddddy wrote: »

Is the son an experienced and reputable builder - or more of a novice 'self-builder'?

It sounds like the son may have done a bit of a 'cowboy botch' on the water supply.

I think this was the only house the son built however nothing I've seen structurally so far indicates that this was a bodge job, quite the opposite in fact. I'd wager he installed a joint supply for simplicity as they owned both houses rather than as an oversight (and I don't know whether building regulation, etc would even have allowed him to).

eddddy wrote: »

So they've waited 10 years before selling. Is it coincidence that after 10 years, mortgage lenders stop asking about new build warranties?

A new build warranty would be an indication that the house was originally built to a good standard. Did this house ever have a warranty?


I think I'd be extra cautious about buying a self-build in these circumstances. At the very least, I think I'd get a full structural survey.

I think you've gotten the wrong end of the stick. The son died recently after living in it for 10 years, the timing appears to be genuine coincidence. I can't get any details of the warranties as Mrs Mum knows nothing about the details and Mr Son is unfortunately dead - I'm a very cynical person, but even I don't suspect any foul play here. I did a HomeBuyers survey(on the advice of the surveyor) as a full structural survey on a house that's 10 years old, at the time, would appear to be vastly over the top.

I mean the survey came back quite well, no expense was spared on the house.

oystercatcher

We have only had a water meter since quite recently so it could well have been that the water supply was 'bodge joined ' from the other /another house that was on an unmetered supply so no extra actually paid .

I would want to make sure that there wasn't 10 years of retrospective charges from the water company when they find out !!

eddddy

Exodi wrote: »

I did a HomeBuyers survey(on the advice of the surveyor) as a full structural survey on a house that's 10 years old, at the time, would appear to be vastly over the top.

It would be vastly over the top for a 10 year old house built by a reputable, experienced builder, and with a warranty.

But not for a house built by an amateur.

Exodi wrote: »

I'd wager he installed a joint supply for simplicity as they owned both houses rather than as an oversight

That's exactly the point I'm making.

He probably did it for simplicity - or to save money. So what other corners did he cut for simplicity?

For example, did he dig the foundations slightly less deep than they should have been - for simplicity?

Did he use fewer timbers in the roof than he should have done - for simplicity?

D_M_E

Since it was built by mum for son I think it's reasonable to assume that it's mum's water and sewage pipes that the property is connected to, not those of DIL.

Could take some time and expense to sort - unless, that is, it's being charged on the old rates system instead of a water meter. Has this been considered?

xylophone

Since it was built by mum for son I think it's reasonable to assume that it's mum's water and sewage pipes that the property is connected to, not those of DIL.

OP gives no indication that Mum's own house is anywhere near the house that her son built on land in front of his wife's property.

As a bit of background (and it becomes relevant), the seller and owner of the property, let's call her Mrs Mum, has had no involvement with the property but instead gave her son, Mr Son, the money to build the property on the agreement that she would own it. Mr Son was married to Mrs Daughter-In-Law and lived in the house with her for around 10 years until he tragically passed away. Mrs Mum eventually decided to sell the house after Mr Son's death and Mrs Daughter-In-Law had to move out. Mrs Daughter-In-Law actually owned and rented a house just behind this property and so moved back there. This may also answer how planning permission was granted to build the house.

There is no indication that Mum owned the land on which the house was built or even that DIL did?

G_M

D_M_E wrote: »

Since it was built by mum for son I think it's reasonable to assume that it's mum's water and sewage pipes that the property is connected to, not those of DIL.

Could take some time and expense to sort - unless, that is, it's being charged on the old rates system instead of a water meter. Has this been considered?

Sounds likely.


* House is on un-metered tariff. Fixed price /use as much as you want.
* 2nd house is built for family member.
* Supply pipe run from original house to supply new house as well
* water company not informed, so continue to bill original house as before, despite supplying 2 properties now


Sweet!

Exodi

G_M wrote: »

Sounds likely.


* House is on un-metered tariff. Fixed price /use as much as you want.
* 2nd house is built for family member.
* Supply pipe run from original house to supply new house as well
* water company not informed, so continue to bill original house as before, despite supplying 2 properties now


Sweet!

I sincerely hope this is not the case...

"Hi, I'm your new neighbour. By the way, I've accidently informed the water board you owe them 10 years of water. Want to pop round for a cup of tea later?"

Hopefully this house is just on an unmetered tariff - but the fact the water board have no account for the property worries me that the above may be the case...

I spoke to my solicitor today about the situation and they've told me they'll be writing a letter requesting Mrs Mum locates details of the water account. They did advise that I should start thinking about what I will do in the 'likely' (their words) event the seller advises that it's sold as seen...

xylophone

Are you saying that Mum lives in a property (which formerly had a very large garden) and is situated in front of her DIL's property?

Her son fancied a new house so Mum got planning permission to build in her garden and put up the money for the property?

The son built the house and connected the water and sewerage to her services?

Would building control permit this?

The title of her house was split so that she then owned two freehold properties, one of which she is process of selling and so she will be your neighbour as will DIL?

Mum has been paying the water bills all this time on an unmetered basis?

Won't the water company require her to install a meter at some point?

Exodi

xylophone wrote: »

Are you saying that Mum lives in a property (which formerly had a very large garden) and is situated in front of her DIL's property?

No, as you said earlier, Mrs Mum doesn't live near. The solicitor is only asking Mrs Mum provides the water account because the onus is on her to (especially if she wants to sell the house). It shouldn't really be my solicitors responsibility to chase the DIL for the water billing arrangements. The mum financed the son to build the house on the DIL's 'garden' (albeit these houses are a fair distance apart) - probably a hundred metres.

xylophone wrote: »

Her son fancied a new house so Mum got planning permission to build in her garden and put up the money for the property?

As said, the house behind is DIL's house but yeah, she financed the whole thing on the agreement she owned it.

xylophone wrote: »

The son built the house and connected the water and sewerage to her services?

That's the issue; I don't know for define what the water situation is. The fact there is no reference meter and both houses were habited by the same people suggests it was.

xylophone wrote: »

Would building control permit this?

There's been a couple of mentions in the thread that the house may have all sorts of other faults but if you saw the house, it's clear no expense has been spared and it has been signed off by building regs. I think a joint connection was likely just a convenience decision.

xylophone wrote: »

The title of her house was split so that she then owned two freehold properties, one of which she is process of selling and so she will be your neighbour as will DIL?

Mum has been paying the water bills all this time on an unmetered basis?

Won't the water company require her to install a meter at some point?

As above, Mrs Mum only owns this house and DIL owns the house behind. AFAIK Mum hasn't been paying any water bills as DIL was originally a tenant in Mums property.

davidmcn

Exodi wrote: »

it has been signed off by building regs.

Have you checked the drawings for building regs for clues about the water supply? There's not much point trying to come up with solutions until everyone knows where the pipes actually are.