PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.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.
Septic tank (shared) upgrade - what would you do?
Comments
-
chrisw said:I'd want my own system on my own property and let the others worry about theirs. It might cost more initially but could save loads of hassle or arguments in the future.
For resale I'm sure an individual system will be a better bet.1 -
If you have the space - I would definately go for your own private system. When we sold our last property in 2021 we knew we had to get an upgraded system before we could sell. It was one of the things both sets of solicitors checked on and wanted proof of. We lived in a small village but the road which our property was on did have mains drainage which not everyone in the road had connected to. We looked into quotes for either a new system or connecting to the main drain, and it was cheaper to connect to the main drain, which is what we did. Quite quick in terms of how long it takes and it was just a question of paying the relevant fees and employing a contractor to dig a channel from the drain at the corner of the house to the road. Once that was done we notified Anglian Water and they arranged a date for them to connect it.0
-
Well, things have got a bit sticky.
I told my neighbours that I wouldn't consider having a shared system on my property.
They have said they will not site a new system on their garden/excavate their garden.
This leaves 4 options:
1 - use existing tank site, which means we'll all have to move out for a couple of weeks as we won't have a sewage system while this is done. Not feasible, practically or financially (for any of us)
2 - next to existing tank - don't know if this is feasible yet, it's a tight squeeze, but if it is they are still putting pressure on me to at least put the drainage pipe through my land. I said I don't like that idea...(I can only assume they're trying to avoid having their garden dug up, because it's not much more practical)
3 - On my land. Nope
4 - I get my own system. Looking into that but under immense pressure so need advice ASAP
I am going to seek legal advice as the neighbours are saying my easement/right to use the septic tank will end the moment it stops working (which they can presumably dictate!), and/or when a new system is put in place. Essentially they are implying that if I don't play ball, they will get a new system in place and not renew my easement, so I won't have a right to use the new system. Nice.
I really want my own system now, but fearful of the practicalities and cost!0 -
What does the easement say?
0 -
AJC211 said:...........the neighbours are saying my easement/right to use the septic tank will end the moment it stops working (which they can presumably dictate!), and/or when a new system is put in place....This seems very unlikely. Indeed, if it 'stops working' they may well have an obligation to repair/replace it so that it works again!But we'd need to know the basis for your easement. More detail needed, or go see a solicitor.given the relationships with neighbours don't seem ideal, I'd go for option 4.As I said earlier me/my neighbour installed a shared sewage plant in his garden, but we had really good cooperative relationship, and tied everything off legally to minimise risk of disputes between subsequent owners in the future.0
-
BarelySentientAI said:What does the easement say?0
-
propertyrental said:AJC211 said:...........the neighbours are saying my easement/right to use the septic tank will end the moment it stops working (which they can presumably dictate!), and/or when a new system is put in place....This seems very unlikely. Indeed, if it 'stops working' they may well have an obligation to repair/replace it so that it works again!But we'd need to know the basis for your easement. More detail needed, or go see a solicitor.given the relationships with neighbours don't seem idea, I'd go for option 4.As I said earlier me/my neighbour installed a shared sewage plant in his garden, but we had really good cooperative relationship, and tied everything off legally to minimise risk of disputes between subsequent owners in the future.
system will be affordable 🤞0 -
And yes definitely getting legal advice0
-
I think things would be very simple if neighbours agreed to have it in their garden, but they won’t. Absolutely not. Because they won’t have it dug up (grass mostly, some shrubs)0
-
So very sorry. I had a railway station where the land had been divided when the various other buildings were sold. I shared a septic tank with my immediate semi detached neighbours. The shared drain was in my north courtyard, the septic tank was on their driveway, but the soakaway was in the direct neighbour's driveway. We started having to have our tank emptied every few months and asked the direct neighbour if we could go onto his land to investigate .... we'd seen him using a digger, and suspected he'd broken the pipe. He refused, so ridiculous, it took six months, a solicitor, and the promise to 'hand dig' out the pipe to avoid any damage to his 'gravel' on the drive. Just power, wasn't it.£216 saved 24 October 20141
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.6K Life & Family
- 254K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards