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House purchase problem with drain
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Pizzapie0000
Posts: 14 Forumite
Hi
I am in the process of buying a probate property. The house has a rather large outbuilding, which according to the daughter of the owner, was used as a motor bike repair shop. In the middle of the building there is a large drain hole which, according to the estate agent , connects to the main sewer.
My solicitor has become nervous because there is no record of this in the searches that were undertaken. She also flagged up that this drain might require additional costs to repair and to maintain.
She suggested I call the water company to understand if they know about the drain and who is responsible for maintaining it.
Does anyone have any experience of this? I might be making myself anxious but wouldn't the installation of a new drain be common?
I am in the process of buying a probate property. The house has a rather large outbuilding, which according to the daughter of the owner, was used as a motor bike repair shop. In the middle of the building there is a large drain hole which, according to the estate agent , connects to the main sewer.
My solicitor has become nervous because there is no record of this in the searches that were undertaken. She also flagged up that this drain might require additional costs to repair and to maintain.
She suggested I call the water company to understand if they know about the drain and who is responsible for maintaining it.
Does anyone have any experience of this? I might be making myself anxious but wouldn't the installation of a new drain be common?
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Comments
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How old is the outbuilding?
Not everything that happens to a property is recorded, especially with old outbuildingsIf you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales0 -
The property was build in the 1940/1950.
The outbuilding was constructed in the 70s would be my guess.0 -
There should be building regs approval for the drain and probably permission from the water company if it connected to the main sewer.0
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I had a similar problem. Water company had no idea where the drains were . Paid for a drain camera survey. Problem solved.Find out who you are and do that on purpose (thanks to Owain Wyn Jones quoting Dolly Parton)0
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My guess would be either the drain connects to a soakaway or it is illegally connected to the sewer. Question is, do you wish to actually make use of the drain?
If not, would it be feasible to simply cap it off and forget about it? What are the chances of it structurally collapsing, especially if no longer used, after 50 years? NOTE I am not an expert, just wondering if the most obvious idea might be overlooked.0 -
Hitealady said:I had a similar problem. Water company had no idea where the drains were . Paid for a drain camera survey. Problem solved.
How was the problem solved? What did the CCTV survey reveal?0 -
Camera showed no damage and it was a size where I needed a build over agreement (per my builder). Paid it online via my water company website.Pizzapie0000 said:
Hitealady said:I had a similar problem. Water company had no idea where the drains were . Paid for a drain camera survey. Problem solved.
How was the problem solved? What did the CCTV survey reveal?Find out who you are and do that on purpose (thanks to Owain Wyn Jones quoting Dolly Parton)0 -
Get a drain survey. It will show where the drains are connected and tell you if any repairs are needed give a quote for the cost0
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