flooded patio

[geoff1057]

next doors garden has just been landscaped,( by cowboys) it has been terraced and blockpaved as the garden rises as you go away from the house. our houses are bordered with gravel boards and a five foot wooden panels a few weeks ago, i came home to find my whole patio flooded in about 4 inches of water, another inch or so and the water would have flooded my conservatory, i spent two hours bucketing and sweeping away this water. the next time it rained, i found out where it was coming from,it was coming from next door s garden, and i mean actually gushing through the gaps in the gravel boards . not leaking ,gushing.through. i took footage of this and showed it to the people next door, they said they would see into it , 3 weeks later and many hours sweeping and bucketing the water away, nothing has been done. i go on holiday for a week in november ,and am worried that my conservatory will get flooded while iam away. can i legally do anything about this ..... thanks

[geoff1057]

any help or info appreciated... thanks

[jen78]

In the interim make sure that you keep notes and photographs of any problems and damage caused.

It's potential grounds for legal action but always better to come to an amicable solution especially if it's with your neighbours.

Initially I'd say give them a reasonable time frame to have it rectified or you will have to consider taking further action as it is causing a great deal of inconvenience, damage to your property and impact in value.

I'd make it for before you go away on your holiday stating that you can't possibly go away and risk further damage to your property. It gives them over a month which, depending on the work required, sounds reasonable. Make sure there is a gap before you go to make sure any work done has actually worked.

You could also note that, if you are forced to cancel your holiday then you will also be looking for recompense for that through the courts should you have to take the matter further.

Keep copies of everything.

Is there any way you can protect your conservatory in the meantime? If you post in Home and Garden then people there may have some possible solutions for you.

Just make sure you stress that any measures are temporary so they don't use it as an excuse to waste any more time and I'd suggest the neighbours help fund the cost.

Is there someone you can get to check on your property while you are away just in case?

On a legal point, would be interested to see if your deeds include a right of natural drainage etc...

If there is anything that planning would have had to have got involved in then you could try speaking to the local council about it. Even it's it's not in their remit they may be able to provide some advice and assistance.

[terambulan]

Write (registered) to your neighbour informing them you're calling in a surveyor and will have necessary works done, which you intend to charge them in Court.

[jen78]

tera, are you following me lol :)

[geoff1057]

cheers guys, thanks for info.much appreciated