Sold house, can I be sued for damage caused by incorrect installation by plumber.

BillyfromS

About 25 years ago I had my cold water tank moved into the loft and the plumber fed the overflow pipe into the internal soil stack. In 2015 and again in 2020 the tank overflowed and I only found out after getting massive water bills.  Apart from the cost I wasn't concerned because I thought the water was going safely down the drain and I then made sure I kept a regular check on the tank. I tried to get an alarm fitted on the tank but with no success but I did ensure I got a new ball !!!!!! etc. fitted.
After selling my house it appears the water was flooding under the house but I honestly didnt know. I have now been informed there is some settling in the floors.
The buyer had 3 unrestricted viewings with the estate agent and various family members but didn't bother getting a survey done.
So various questions here:
Apparently you're not permitted to feed the overflow into the interior soil pipe (how was I supposed to know) - can I be held responsible for the plumbers incorrect installation and the apparent damage caused by it?
As the buyer had ample viewings, didn't get a survey and didn't ask any questions or for further information can he sue me?

housebuyer143

It's buyer beware. As long as you didn't lie then they have no come back 

NameUnavailable

This is exactly why purchasers pay for surveys.

You didn't know about the problem. You have sold the house. This is now your buyers problem.

EssexHebridean

It strikes me as something which a surveyor may well have noticed - and commented on - had they a) had a survey and b) had the surveyor accessed the lift. 

BillyfromS

Thanks for the replies, googling misrepresentation seems to imply that despite all this, you can still be sued.  Understandably it's causing mĺe sleepless nights.

Doozergirl

BillyfromS said:

Thanks for the replies, googling misrepresentation seems to imply that despite all this, you can still be sued.  Understandably it's causing mĺe sleepless nights.

How can you misrepresent something you don't know about?  Stop googling, you've done nothing wrong.  They should have had a survey.  

MultiFuelBurner

Highly unlikely you can be sued what have the buyers said and how have they contacted you about the issue?

Olinda99

something isn't quite right here and I suggest you post under the DIY forum to get better help

the internal soil stack is connected to your lavatories which in turn is connected to the foul sewer

so if there is any leaking of it under your house it will most likely be due to water from flushing of the loos not any overflow tank water 

user1977

Olinda99 said:

something isn't quite right here and I suggest you post under the DIY forum to get better help

Or rather, their buyer should! The OP doesn't need any help, it isn't their house any more.

Olinda99

user1977 said:

Olinda99 said:

something isn't quite right here and I suggest you post under the DIY forum to get better help

Or rather, their buyer should! The OP doesn't need any help, it isn't their house any more.

True ! ......

doodling

Hi,

BillyfromS said:

Thanks for the replies, googling misrepresentation seems to imply that despite all this, you can still be sued.  Understandably it's causing mĺe sleepless nights.

You can be sued by anyone for anything, that doesn't mean they will win.

If when you ask yourself the question "Did I lie on any of the forms I filled in or in any correspondence or in any discussion with the purchaser during the sale?" the answer is "no" then you have nothing to worry about.