Extension Build over Drainage Junction

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could help me here. This is my first post here.

I am buying a property and the searches has came back with foul drainage running under the extension and the conservatory next to it. My solicitor has raised enquiry with the vendor's solicitor that vendor needs to show Build Over Agreement.

Is there a way to get the Build Over Agreement in place for this kind of existing extension?

If the build over agreement is granted and misplaced by the owner, can one request this from the water company? Can I request it after I bought it?

I read somewhere that you can call CCTV contractor and they repot back to the water company after which water company issues build over agreement but not sure how that works. (Not sure I understood it completely)

Required planning permission was applied and granted by local council when extension was build. Not sure if local council would look for build over agreement before granting this permission and if its an indication that build over agreement should be 'somewhere'.

Given that there is no manhole access now for the T junction and it was covered while building the extension
- Would you buy this property? Or is this a deal breaker?
If its not a deal breaker then which documents would you like check from the vendors (Personally I would not be happy with just Indemnity cover.)?
- Building Over agreement (already been asked to produce)
- Building Control Sign-off
- Building Control Permission or Approval.
- Any other relevant docs.

My fear about buying this property is that it has the drainage pipe which flows all other houses sewage into the main public drainage, we have to end up forking money every-time its blocked because someone in the neighbour decide to flush sanitary towel!

Is this fear well founded?

Thanks

Red lines shows Foul drainage
Green line shows surface water.
Note there is also a T drainage junction going under the extension.

When was the extension built?

It was build in 2001

Prior to 2011 that sewer would have been private (ie the homeowners responsibility) and not shared (ie the water company’s responsibility) and as such it was not subject to a Build Over Agreement. So no Build Over was required when it was built. https://www.severntrentsearches.com/private-sewer-transfer-introduction/


Ordinarily a conservatory would not have required Building Control Approval but would have need to be built to some Building Regulations. If there was a problem it would have occurred by now. If you’re that worried you can pay for a CCTV but will cost you about £100-200.

As is often the case the solicitor is incorrect/clueless.

Thanks @freddiemercurystwin

What are your thoughts about this ... "My fear about buying this property is that it has the drainage pipe which flows all other houses sewage into the main public drainage, we have to end up forking money every-time its blocked because someone in the neighbour decide to flush sanitary towel!

Is this fear well founded?"

Thanks

No not really because as mentioned the drain is now a public (or shared) drain as the Water Company adopted ownership of it in 2011 so it is their responsibility to clear or maintain it should there ever be any problems with it. They might have to dig a hole in your garden to get at it though but that applies to any drain on anyones land. And as mentioned a problem would likely have occurred by now but if you’re gonna have sleepless nights over it then get a cctv.

Thanks again. And finally, if there is no inspection point over T junction because its been build over by the extension, should it be a deal breaker?

Is there a chamber in the front garden or road?

The chamber is on Driveway at front but it seems too far from the Junction. about 60-70 feet or so.

It wouldn’t really worry me, maybe I’d get a cctv done. But how do you even know the junction is under the extension, historic drain plans are notoriously inaccurate?

60-70 feet in nothing for a camera or jetter.

freddiemercurystwin said:

It wouldn’t really worry me, maybe I’d get a cctv done. But how do you even know the junction is under the extension, historic drain plans are notoriously inaccurate?

Click to expand...

The Plan I got (attachment) has came out in searches ordered in conveyancing. Is it possible that its not accurate?

Yes quite possible. You could look in your new neighbours gardens for clues (manholes/connections) indicating a more accurate position, often neighbours will know anyway especially if they've lived there a while. But really if that's the only issue with the property I wouldn't worry. There are millions of houses with drainage underneath that wouldn't comply if it were built now.