Problems with new neighbour over septic tank drainage pipe

JFT1

Nothing is mentioned in my deeds about the pipe. And the environmental health man sent an email to me confirming everything was working ok with the pipe and he was happy with it. I contacted him about being aware of the pipe but he had just looked on Google maps to check where it was. He could see the change in vegetation where it went. But he said that was normal. Our tank is split into 2 parts solids in the first part that are broken down by bacteria then the soup is washed into the second part when you used the bath etc the second part is half filled with charcoal it then goes down this 200m pipe to a sand band where it is filtered

Bendy_House

Does the neighb also have a similar arrangement for their sewage?

GDB2222

JFT1 said:

Ok further update. The insurers have said we are not covered because their letter was dated before the 90 days after I took the policy out. So if they send a solicitors letter what do we do. We have no money for a lawyer can we defend ourselves in court.

Although you have no money for a lawyer, by far the best way to deal with this matter is to get a lawyer to right a letter to the neighbour. A "solicitor's letter" is not particularly expensive. You'd need a quote, but I'd expect it would cost £100-200.

That's money you'd much rather spend on other things, but it may well head off trouble, and of course it's a tiny fraction of the cost of going at this hammer and tongs in the High Court. 

JFT1

The next door neighbour has a separate septic tank but originally they used the same tank. If the new neighbours send a solicitors letter we will look at speaking to a solicitor. But just because the new neighbours don't want the pipe in their land does not justify us having a new septic tank put in at a cost of 4k plus. When the old tank works perfectly well.

GDB2222

JFT1 said:

The next door neighbour has a separate septic tank but originally they used the same tank. If the new neighbours send a solicitors letter we will look at speaking to a solicitor. But just because the new neighbours don't want the pipe in their land does not justify us having a new septic tank put in at a cost of 4k plus. When the old tank works perfectly well.

Where would the new tank drain to?

Bendy_House

JFT1 said:

The next door neighbour has a separate septic tank but originally they used the same tank. If the new neighbours send a solicitors letter we will look at speaking to a solicitor. But just because the new neighbours don't want the pipe in their land does not justify us having a new septic tank put in at a cost of 4k plus. When the old tank works perfectly well.

I can understand that.

Isn't the actual septic tank on your land, tho', and only the 'overflow/outlet' draining off to a sandpit on the neighb's land?

Will your LP still not give you advice, even if they won't actually take action?

JFT1

We would have to have a contained septic tank which would have to be empted. I can still get legal advice from my insurers but they will not act on my behalf. The septic tank is on my land only the pipe goes into the neighbours field..

Bendy_House

JFT1 said:

We would have to have a contained septic tank which would have to be empted. I can still get legal advice from my insurers but they will not act on my behalf. The septic tank is on my land only the pipe goes into the neighbours field..

So only the 'drain' or 'overflow' pipe (I don't know what they are called) would need adding to keep it all within your land? Ie, to take your ST outlet to a soakaway position within your land? Surely not £4k's worth.

I totally get that you have an entitlement, and I totally get that your new neighbs are complete A-Hos, but wouldn't it give you peace of mind to have all your services within your land?

Possibly even the potential to come to an agreement; "Look, pal - I can send my s*** over your ground in perpetuity, and just you try and stop it... In fact, before I pull the flush, I say to my emissions, "Say hello to my wan** new neighbs on the way past"

"But, hey, I'd consider redirecting the outlet to a new soakaway on my land, only it'll cost me £2k. If you'd like to consider putting something towards that - say halves - then we may have a solution. Failing that, my intake of Brussel sprouts is gonna go through the roof."

canaldumidi

JFT1 said:

We would have to have a contained septic tank which would have to be empted.

So a cess pit, not a septc tank.

J_B

canaldumidi said:

JFT1 said:

We would have to have a contained septic tank which would have to be empted.

So a cess pit, not a septc tank.

I think (don't quote me) that 'modern day' septic tanks are required to filter sufficiently so the water is 'pure' and rarely need emptying