Neigbour Won't Pay

[pjf13red]

My neighbour lives upstairs in the first floor flat. The main drain has blocked a few times and she has paid half of the bill once to unblock it. It blocked again but she refused to pay so I was in the process of writing letters advising her that if she didn't pay her share I would take her to court when it blocked again. I have been told that the pipes need replacing but I know she won't pay her share of the cost. Please advise the best way to handle this.

[Androcles]

I think youwill need to supply some more information. For example, who owns the flats, you two or a landlord or housing association. If you own it, are the flats leasehold and who owns the leasehold? Is there a managing agent operating?

Do you know what is causing the blockages, is it collapsed pipes as you suggest or is somebody flushing thinkgs away they ought not to bem including sanitory elements or tippi ng fat down the drain?

If you can answer these it may be possible for you to get some more targeted advice!

[123everton]

If it's an unadopted communal drain then it's a communal problem, call the environmental health they will issue an enforcement notice after inspection and bill all the liable users equally.

[4getmenot]

Go through your insurance. If then they cover it they will contact her as she is liable to pay if she shares the drainage. They will then contact her insurance company. If she refuses to help then environmental health can be contacted who can issue a section 59 stating they will carry out works and then bill her, which can cost alot more than the excess on her insurance