Kitchen Built On Top Of Drain

[tiggerblue10]

Just back from seeing the house I'm buying. The house belonged to the owners father who passed away a couple of years ago, and it was bought by the father with the kitchen already extended into the garden.

Is this normal as I thought you couldn't build on top of drain access? There is a floor board hatch which lifts up just below the sink. The drain then leads sideways into the neighbour's garden. Can the drain be diverted into the garden?

[Hymie]

I think that you are correct although I’m no expert in this area; a builder friend purchased a plot of land a couple of years ago, planning to build a property. He discovered that the main sewer crossed part of the land and had to revise his build plans such that he did not build over it.

Hopefully someone will be able to give a definitive response – it would be a waste of time and money putting in an offer only for a surveyor to spot this issue and the sale to fall through.

[tiggerblue10]

Should I mention it to the surveyor beforehand?

[woofgang]

I am not an expert but no I don't think its normal. I would definitely be checking that it has proper planning permission and bulding regs compliance. Do you ADORE the house?

[woofgang]

yes i think you should...i mean why would you not?

[tiggerblue10]

I will mention it then. I thought it very odd and the son who gave us a walkthrough said that 2 years ago the drain had been blocked and to be fixed from the neighbour's garden.

[woofgang]

I ask again....do you ADORE the house? Cos i'd be feeling dubious about now.

[tiggerblue10]

I am still very keen on it but I need to find out if there is anything that can be done.

[Atheist]

Probably best to ask someone who knows about these things, e.g. a solicitor or a Building Inspector from your local council. AB advice isn't appropriate for an issue which involves thousands of pounds.

[woofgang]

dead right Atheist, that's why i said check about building regs and planning.

[tiggerblue10]

Would it be worth contacting Thames Water as well as it's a sewage matter?

[Apc2604]

https://www.water.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Build-over-guide-for-homeowners.pdf

Also you can find out if permission was granted when the extension was built by contacting your District Council.

[Atheist]

Contact everybody you can think of who might have an interest in the matter. Incidentally, I built an extension over a soil pipe leading from my house to the main drain in the back garden, and I simply fitted an airtight drain cover in my kitchen to allow for access in case of blockages. If the extension is built over a communal drain then you need to check it out. I'm an optimist, and if the extension has been there for a number of yars without problem I wouldn't worry too much; but I'd still check it out.

[THECORBYLOON]

Do these links help you any?

https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/legal-qa/our-house-has-an-extension-over-a-sewer-is-this-legal-38586.html

https://www.southwestwater.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions/developer-services/can-i-build-over-a-public-sewer/

[tiggerblue10]

That's really helpful Apc. It does mention building 'over' but I need to know exactly what the definition of over is.

[tiggerblue10]

Atheist, that is exactly what this is - an air tight cover in the kitchen for easy access. It's secured down with screws.

[Atheist]

If you look down into the hole beneath the cover and you see only one entry pipe and only one exit pipe (presumably leading to next door) then things should be OK, as it is only serving your property. You should be able to figutre out entry and exit pipes by observing the curved sweep of the pipes.

[tiggerblue10]

Yes, thanks TCL. All the links seem to mention 'over and within 3 meters' so I'm assuming that providing you get the planning permission and it complies with the regs it should be ok.

[tiggerblue10]

When my buyers surveyor was checking my house they lifted the manhole cover in ny garden. Im guessing that my surveyor will need access to this one so will need to unscrew it for access.

[Apc2604]

Personally, I wouldn't worry tigger. It is not uncommon and it would seem to meet building regulations. If there was planning permission for the extension this would have been included and inspected by Building Control.

If you go into the Councils website for the area and then into planning, there will be a facility to look into old planning permissions. You just have to type in the address.

[tiggerblue10]

Cheers Apc, didn't know I could do that. Will gave a look.