House purchase - water mains indemnity issue

Selah14

Section62 said:

Selah14 said:

Direct summary : 

As you know, the issue is that part of the property appears to have been built over a public sewer and the main water; while the seller’s solicitor is able to offer an indemnity policy, this is limited strictly to any claims that are brought by South West Water in connection with the sewer only. This is because of the high pressure nature of the water main that may result insignificant damage being caused to the property should any issues occur.

I suspect they mean 'significant'.

In terms of buildings(/contents) insurance, the thing that would concern me would be being able to obtain insurance in the future, not just now.  Having the house built over a 'high pressure' main is an unusual risk so you are likely looking at a specialist insurer found through a broker.  If in future no insurers are willing to insure this risk you will be stuck with a property which can't be insured and may have great difficulty in selling it.

The current owner has a problem.... and I bet they have everything crossed that you will be kind enough to take the problem off their hands and make it yours instead.

Thank you !

Yes , significant - we did go back and clarify ! 

So the mains aren’t actually under the house - it’s part of the back yard . On further inspection my husband has noticed on the plans that whilst the pipes do come into our yard , they go back out again within a 3 meter area - so we’ve got a bit more back and forth to go I think . 

The current owner has lived there for about 20 years and paid cash so potentially didn’t get any checks done - or just decided to get insurance / deal with it … 

Such a fun process !