We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.

In breach of building control.

Hi, just wondered if anyone had any advice on this. Our neighbours have built an extension. They have built over the shared manhole and relocated it at the rear of the rear of their extension. Unknown to our neighbour our drainage ran to the disused manhole. They didn't obtain a drainage survey before they started the build. They also did not remove the existing foundation and poured the new concrete over the existing foundations. Once they realised or drainage was connected they simply joined our drainage onto their drain with a sweeping 90. They did not get building control in to check the drainage. Building control do not seem that concerned. What can we do? 

Thank you.

Please see diagram below.
«1

Comments

  • lemondrops69
    lemondrops69 Posts: 352 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    What do you want to happen? 
  • Rdwill
    Rdwill Posts: 235 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    As far as I am aware at each change of direction there needs to be a manhole
  • zansari
    zansari Posts: 8 Forumite
    First Post
    We also understand that where one properties drain joins another properties drain there has to be a manhole at the junction. Our issues is that the neighbour has not complied with the regs and has not called building control out, therefore they have messed up our drainage. If they get a block we get a block. Are building control supposed to sort this out?  The neighbours have been really underhand about what they are doing. Thank you for your advice.
  • Contact your water board - I think you'll find them more concerned. :smile:
  • Ectophile
    Ectophile Posts: 7,771 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    If it's a shared drain, then it belongs to the water company these days.  They are responsible for any maintenance in future, and they are the ones to object to having their drains moved.
    If it sticks, force it.
    If it breaks, well it wasn't working right anyway.
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,021 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 4 May 2021 pm31 8:00PM
    As above. Speak to the water board.  They really should be bothered.  

    I'd also lodge a complaint with building control about their own department because they are supposed to check everything in the ground is done correctly on the water board's behalf.   Was it the local authority's own building control that carried out the inspections?  Not to say they'll actually enforce.  
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • And I think they'll be upset.
  • zansari
    zansari Posts: 8 Forumite
    First Post
    We have done a bit research and it appears that we have a private and unadopted sewer, which means it is up to the property's owners to repair and maintain it. It is on private land so it does not come under the jurisdiction of the water board. We really are not  sure what to do. Ultimately our drainage has to be sorted which means re_routing our drainage to their new manhole which will inevitably cost us lots of money.
    Thank you for your advice so far. 


  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,021 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 5 May 2021 pm31 3:05PM
    Which country are you in?  

    You are the first house on the run and this new bend is on your land?    In England, only the first house on a run is private, and as SOON as the drain crosses the boundary it becomes a public sewer and the responsibility of the water company. 

    No significant bend would be allowed in a foul sewer without an inspection chamber. 

    If you had a shared manhole, it was shared, end of story.  Not private.  
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
  • zansari
    zansari Posts: 8 Forumite
    First Post
    Hi thank you for your reply. In the past there was one house, which was our neighbours, then they split the land and built our house in the 1950s. The drainage from our house went to their manhole. The new bend is on their land along the side of their extension. The public drain is at the back of our garden where both of our sewage runs to. 

    Thank you.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.7K Life & Family
  • 254.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.