Would you buy a house with public sewer within boundary of the house and running under it

Catman2025

Looking for some advise. Please help. Looking to buy a house and the drainage search has revealed that there are public sewer (pipes) not only within the boundary of the property i.e. front driveway and the back garden but also running under the property.

I am concerned about any potential health risks, plus will this hinder property value/sale in the future? As well as any future/additional (ongoing/maintenance) costs if something was to go wrong i.e. damp, subsidence, blockages etc.

Would you buy or pull-out? The solicitors have put forward various questions to the sellers including  built over agreement and am waiting response.

The redline shows the foul sewer pipes running from the front of the property, through to the garden. The blackline is the boundary of the property. 

Appreciate any advise/guidance.

marcia_

Catman2025 said:

Looking for some advise. Please help. Looking to buy a house and the drainage search has revealed that there are public sewer (pipes) not only within the boundary of the property i.e. front driveway and the back garden but also running under the property.

I am concerned about any potential health risks, plus will this hinder property value/sale in the future? As well as any future/additional (ongoing/maintenance) costs if something was to go wrong i.e. damp, subsidence, blockages etc.

Would you buy or pull-out? The solicitors have put forward various questions to the sellers including  built over agreement and am waiting response.

The redline shows the foul sewer pipes running from the front of the property, through to the garden. The blackline is the boundary of the property. 

Appreciate any advise/guidance.

 I have a public sewer under my house with an inspection chamber in my back garden. Never thought twice about it. Had united utilities out a couple of times when it gets blocked but the blockage didn't cause me any problems.

WIAWSNB

Catman2025 said:

Looking for some advise. Please help. Looking to buy a house and the drainage search has revealed that there are public sewer (pipes) not only within the boundary of the property i.e. front driveway and the back garden but also running under the property.

I am concerned about any potential health risks, plus will this hinder property value/sale in the future? As well as any future/additional (ongoing/maintenance) costs if something was to go wrong i.e. damp, subsidence, blockages etc.

Would you buy or pull-out? The solicitors have put forward various questions to the sellers including  built over agreement and am waiting response.

The redline shows the foul sewer pipes running from the front of the property, through to the garden. The blackline is the boundary of the property. 

Appreciate any advise/guidance.

How old is the house? And is the part which is over the sewer the original property, or a subsequent extension?
If it's original house, and of a certain age, I wouldn't personally be concerned if there's a lack of B-O agreement; it seems clear that the WB are aware of the layout, and have full responsibility for it - it's on the map.
If it's an extension, then I would be looking for a BOA, although I am not aware if there was a date from when this became a requirement. But, again, that map shows the drain and the house footprint, so it seems clear to me that the WB, again, has full knowledge and responsibility for it. Easy to confirm with them, and I'm sure your solicitor will be doing this. Worst case - the seller provides an indemnity policy.
Is it a problem? In a word, no. This is very common. 
Should the worst case occur, say the sewer under there collapses, the WB has a number of ways of addressing this, including moling or sleeving or redirecting the pipe, but it ain't your problem.
Is it a health issue? I guess under a very extreme scenario, it could be, but one would have to be of a somewhat paranoid or hypocondriactic (sic) disposition to give it a moment's thought. 
Will it affect future sale? It shouldn't, but bear in mind it has given you some pause, so it might discourage a very small number of potential buyers.
What to do? Exactly what you are doing - due diligence in order to confirm the above - ownership and responsibility. Once you are given that assurance, then you live happily in your new home, and have this info to pass to the next happy owner.

Grumpy_chap

Is the sewer actually in the location shown, or is it actually a bit north at the property boundary and, hence, not under the property?
You could check by locating the manhole either side and lifting to see the position and direction of the sewer.