End Terrace gutter issues

Athlete57

We live at the end house and when we get heavy rainfall water leaks into the living room. We receive all the streets rain in our gutters, they cannot cope and water streams down our walls. 

I have written to neighbours asking them to reinstate down pipes but this appears to have been ignored. My only solution appears to be blocking my gutter and asking my direct neighbor to do the same. Any suggestions welcome.

danrv

Athlete57 said:

My only solution appears to be blocking my gutter and asking my direct neighbor to do the same. Any suggestions welcome.

It's possible that yours just needed clearing either in the main gutter or downpipe. 
I wouldn't have thought modifying the guttering for the other properties would be needed as it's a normal arrangement.

Section62

Athlete57 said:

...
I have written to neighbours asking them to reinstate down pipes but this appears to have been ignored. My only solution appears to be blocking my gutter and asking my direct neighbor to do the same. Any suggestions welcome.

Have you got evidence there were previously other downpipes which have been removed?

Gutters can be a tricky issue, as often there is a right for semis/terraces to drain into the neighbour's.  There might be something in your deeds (e.g. a covenant), or else the neighbour could have acquired a right over time.

Also, blocking your gutter can be counterproductive, as without a downpipe the water may just pour out of the gutter over your front garden and foundations.

Athlete57

Every other house should have a down pipe. As gutters have been replaced these have been discarded. Definitely not blocked.just getting all the streets water

WIAWSNB

Don't take any direct action that could affect your neighbours, or you'll have effectively reversed your positions - and they could threaten you with action...

More background required. Are you 100% certain that the other properties have 'discarded' their own DPs? 

How old is the terrace? Are there similar terraces in t'hood? Have you looked over sales on that street and checked streetviews? 

It was quite common for older terraces to have fewer DPs than properties, and this worked fine when the climate was 'normal'. It could be that you are suffering from higher-than-usual levels of rainfall.

Anyhoo, things to do;

1) Gather evidence. If others have removed their DPs, then you need to demonstrate this pretty conclusively. 

2) See if you have Legal Protection in your house insurance. If you do, then call them up for advice - after you have gathered evidence.

3) Also collect evidence to show the effects - water coming in to your house. 

4) Start a log/account of what's taken place. Include the conversations you have had with neighbs, and what was said. 

redped

Athlete57 said:

Every other house should have a down pipe. As gutters have been replaced these have been discarded. Definitely not blocked.just getting all the streets water

As has been mentioned, evidence that downpipes have been removed would be useful.  Does Google Street View show the houses in your street?  It may have several photos taken over the last few years (e.g. it has 4 photos of my house, starting at 2008), hopefully showing the houses when they used to have downpipes.