Manhole inside a house - is it for rental or should i sue?

Question

I have discovered that the house I live in has a manhole in the living room - the living room is in an extension that was built at a different stage to when the house was built.

Now, do you know if this means the house is not fit for rental and should therefore have never been rented out? If so, can I sue the landlord and get my money back? I've been in the house for 4 years, but only found out recently when a neighbour renovating his house asked me if he could have access to the manhole in my living room to unblock the drain.

what do you suggest I do? I'm renting with foxtons, in clapham

thanks for all your answers! I'll contact the citizens advice bureau to find out more, but your comments have all ben extremely helpful!

Answer 1

You need to go to the CAB these will tell you your rights.

Answer 2

There's no problem here, the fact that you have been there years and didn't even know you had an inspection chamber there goes to show how well the thing was installed.

For internal use, it needs to be an AIRTIGHT cover, to prevent any gases (methane) rising up from the drains into the house. Usually it will say AIR TIGHT on it, and be screwed down and have a rubber seal. As you have not mentioned any smells I assume it is doing it's job.

Let your neighbour use the acces point, that is what it is there for, and your sewage also goes down the same route.

Any damage to your carpets etc needs to be claimed through YOUR contents insurance if you have any.


The practice of putting covers into extensions is perfectly legal and normal, and the local authority must have approved and inspected it, I can assure you.

It is not so easy to move a sewer run so that it goes around the outside of the property. And I don't see where the problem is, your landlord has not done anything wrong, make sure the cover is fitted back securely and it is airtight.

merry xmas

Answer 3

if its a double sealed type you wont get any smell back.I've put loads of these in extensions and conservatories,and never had a come back on any.but that's a strange one living room.if you haven't noticed any smell in 4years and while its been blocked,i wouldn't worry.but I'd tell the landlord you want to lay a laminate floor and how are you supposed to gain access then.and request he as the manhole piped through with just a roding access.

Answer 4

How could you sue the landlord? What damages have you incured? You lived there for 4 years and had a roof over your head. You payed your rent, got a place to live...end of story.

Answer 5

Are you trying to take the Michiel or what?planning permission would never have been aloud until all services had been moved, certainly a drain cover/ inspection hatch would never been aloud to be built around. I made enquires about a small lean to and was told that I would have to move gas water and drainage first.
So perhaps your landlord hasn't had building permission.
Good luck with your enquires.

Answer 6

as far as im aware, all it fails is building regs.if the extension was just built then it would have to be shifted, so don`t think you`ll be able to sue, as someone else has said, if its airtight don`t worry,

but i would try claiming for disruption from needing acess to your living room

Answer 7

You can't sue but you should cover it and the city has to pay for new outlet that is not in your residence.

Answer 8

As long as it's a gas tight one then there is nothing to worry about and as far as I'm aware it is perfectly legal.

Answer 9

What would you sue for? Has it done you any harm? If you dont like it move somewhere else.