Public sewer running through property?

Question

Hi Guys

I am in the process of buying a property and the Drainage search has come back showing that there is a public sewer running through the property. The plan shows that it is actually passing in the back garden a few feet behind the actually building structure. Its passing through all the other properties as well in the row.

Does anyone know what the impact is of this? i am abit hesitant of a public sewer line crossing my property and wondering whether i should proceed with the deal. Do you think it will effect futher development ie extension.. what other impact can it have ? Is this quite normal or am in awkward position.

Thanks for everyones reply. I just called Thames water and they have confirmed they are responisble for maintaining that public sewer pipe and liable to leave my property the way it was after any repairs if such are ever needed. luckly there is no manhole on the property, it is in the neighbors property so for any maintanence they are likely to access through the manhole which is in the neighbors house... the Public pipe is 2.2 Meters away from the back of the building structure. Thames water have said that if you ever want to do an extention to the property it is possible to extend upto 3 feet to the pipe without permission from thames water, if however the extention is within 3 feet to the pipe, permission from Thames water would be needed, having said that the person i spoke to at TW said that you can build over the pipe if permission is granted by TW, so such permissions have been granted in the past.

Anyone want to add to this.. are welcomed too......

Answer 1

Very normal. The city or utility will always have an easment allowing the pipe to be there. You would not have rights to dig up the pipe, etc. To a certain degree that could prevent you from future development, but that's unlikely.

Answer 2

We have 2 inspection covers for sewage in our garden. I've been told by the water company that if I want to build within 3 metres of the pipes I have to do a cctv search at my own expense and pay for any damage found prior to building. On pipes that they are supposed to maintain? Then another cctv search after building, with the same scenario. Also about 500 quid to consider my plans which they can then refuse?!

Answer 3

You need to contact a licensed professional land surveyor, to determine whether or not there is a legal easement for sewer lines to cross your property. If there is an easement, then you are liable for doing the damage. Of course, you should have done this before you decided to start digging. Its also possible that the pipe you broke is actually just an old piece of scrap that was buried there, so you should tell your neighbor to run their water for awhile, so you can verify that the pipe is active.

Answer 4

This is extremely normal. All urban properties have utility easements. Unless you are the last house on the sewer line, it should nave no effect on you at all. I would not hesitiate to buy a poperty with a sewer easement. Unless you're in a rural area, most properties will have the same easment.

Answer 5

Ours is the same. Find out who responsible for maintenance, one of our neighbours has a overgrown garden with loads of old trees and the roots got into the pipes and damged them. Everybody whose house was connected to the sewer had to pay a share of the repair bill. We did not get to choose the company the local council did and we just got the bill

Answer 6

As far as it being a problem, it can be, if it breaks, it could potentially do alot of damage to your property. And as far as adding on to your house, that could also be a problem, if you decide to put in a foundation then it would never work. But if you where just putting in a footer or cement pad to build on then it might not be a problem, unless there is something in there local code that they say you can not build ontop of there lines. which is defiantly a possibility. Either way good luck.

Answer 7

Having a shared utility on your property would not be a good selling point. If there are problems, your yard may need to be accessed and the line dug up. I would say that you would not be permitted to add on to the current structure if it would cover the line and deny access to it. I, personally, would have to reconsider buying with this problem.

Answer 8

There is nothing unusual about this so don't let it put you off buying your house. The only caveat is that you will not be able to build over the run of the sewer.

Answer 9

The only time this will be a problem is if the utility must dig up the line to repair it or replace it. The only problem you should have is if they must dig during garden season. Otherwise, no big deal.

Answer 10

i doubt you will get permission to build over the sewer. i have never heard of this situation. public sewers normally run under roads and pavements.