Subsidence due to broken drain

paulsm

I have a lockup that has a big crack to the brickwork that looks lie subsidence, i recently noticed the public path directly outside has a large void underneath where the soil has been washed away, there is a manhole about four feet away that has a broken drain pipe which looks like it is about to collpase. I have contacted the local water authority about this and am awaiting a reply, I havent ever had to deal with anything like this before and was wandring if I need to make a claim for the damage to my unit or whether the water company would sort that out as part of fixing the drain/manhole.

Bigphil1474

We had slightly different in that a broken water board drain caused subsidence on our house in 2010. We claimed through our insurers but had a £1k excess 'cost' for that. Presumably they dealt with the waterboard. You might get some joy from the water board but I suspect they'd make it difficult for you. Worth a try before going to your own insurer.

eddddy

When you say you "have a lockup", do you mean you rent it, own the leasehold, own the freehold, or something else?

Who is responsible for repairs to the building - you, your landlord, your freeholder?

Is anyone insuring the building? If so, is it you, your landlord or your freeholder?

You mention a manhole with a broken drainpipe. Do you mean soil has been washed away to expose a drainpipe which should be underground?

Is the manhole and broken drainpipe under the pavement or under private land?

Assuming it's the water company's drainpipe, typically they would only be liable to pay repair costs for the lockup if they had been negligent.

If the water company deny they've been negligent, it would be up to you or your landlord or your freeholder or the insurer to prove they were negligent.

It's very unlikely that the water company would arrange repairs to the lockup. If they were liable, they would pay the cost of repairs instead.