Who is responsible for repairing drains and sewers?

A question many homeowners tend to ask at one time or another, is ‘who is responsible for repairing drains and sewers on/near my property?’. Here, we are going to answer this question in full so that you are confident you know the answer! 

When it comes to the drains and sewers located inside the boundaries of your property, you are responsible. A sewerage company tends to be in charge of lateral drains, and they are usually outside of property boundaries. 

Most sewers are publicly owned, but there are still private sewers out there. If your property is served by one of these, then it may be up to you to keep it in working order. You can learn more below. 

Repairing Drains: What You Should Know
As you would likely expect, you are responsible for repairing the drains inside the boundaries of your property. They are your private drains. It’s not up to you to take care of lateral drains that you and your neighbour both share, as your water company is responsible for those. 

It’s up to you whether you take out insurance to have work done on your drains, or whether you select a private company to help you in the event something happens. It’s up to you which company you decide to work with if you are responsible for the maintenance of a drain. 

You’ll probably also want to check with your building insurance company whether you need insurance for the drain to your property. Sometimes, but not always, this is a requirement. 

Drain vs. Sewers – What’s The Difference?
Many people are unsure of the difference between drains and sewers. Here’s an idea to help you:

• Drains – this is a pipe that drains water and waste away from your building and other buildings that go with it, such as your garage. A lateral drain is a pipe that carries wastewater away from your property to a sewer, and will be outside of your property boundary, usually on the public pavement. 
• Sewers – these collect water and waste from numerous buildings and are usually publicly owned. This is why they are maintained by your water company. That being said, there are still some sewers that are privately owned. Some households may not be connected to a sewer but a septic tank or treatment plant. If you are not connected to a sewer, then you will not need to pay sewerage charges. 

Making Repairs To Sewers
Most sewers and lateral drains are now maintained by local water companies. In the past, they were the responsibility of the property owner. If you experience issues with your sewer or lateral drain, then you’ll want to contact your local water company as quickly as possible. 

What About Private And Unadopted Sewers?
If you live on a site that contains a number of properties, such as a block of flats, then you might have a private sewer or lateral drain. If you have a private or unadopted sewer and own a property, then you are responsible for the cost of maintenance. If the sewer serves a number of properties, then the owners are all jointly responsible. 

Your local authority environmental health department may order you to repair or unblock a private sewer or lateral drain if it’s not properly maintained. If you fail to carry out the work in the specified time period, they may carry out the work themselves and will then send you the bill. 
In some cases, you may have the option to ask your water or local sewerage company to adopt a private sewer or lateral drain. If the sewer or drain has been improved to the standards required by the company and it is in good condition then you may be able to do this. 

However, the company must be satisfied that doing this will benefit the overall sewerage system. Everyone who is responsible for maintaining the lateral drain or sewer must agree to responsibility being transferred to the sewerage company. You can appeal if the company refuses – contact OFWAT. 

Not Sure Whether Your Sewer Is Private?
If you’re not sure whether your property is connected to a public sewer or a private one, there are a few steps you can take to check this over. You can:

• Check with your local authority.
• Check your sewer map.
• Check with your sewerage company.
• Check the deeds of your property. 

Confused? Get In Touch With Us Today
If you’re stuck and unsure of how you should be handling a sewer or drain that must be repaired, get in touch with us today. We can advise you on the best course of action moving forward and even come out to help you if necessary. We hope to hear from you soon!