Would you walk away?

[C4priSun]

Agreed a house purchase around 2 months ago and it has been a bit of a slog so far. Had the survey and all was as I expected, needed rewired and a new boiler but nothing major.

Was looking at the house again today and bumped into the neighbour. I introduced myself and got chatting. He mentioned that he would like the trees at the property trimmed because they block his aerial (fair enough) but also mentioned there had been a problem with the drains at the property that had caused sewerage to leak from my garden into their garden every few months for the last 20 years?!

I love the house but am now worried I am buying a problem.

Anyone have any advice?!

[Slightlyperturbedowlagain]

That would put me off too. I would suggest you discuss with your solicitor and get them to send a formal query letter to your sellers solicitors asking about this and asking what work has been done (with evidence) to stop it happening in future. Depending on the response you may then want to walk away.

[Maiz7654]

I wouldn't walk away without finding out more information first.

[C4priSun]

I couldn't tell if I was just being anxious about completing soon, but I was just a bit 😬🙄

[C4priSun]

It was the length of time that he said it had gone on for that made me anxious, why would anyone live with that for 20 years? Will speak with solicitor on Monday and hopefully they can ask the right questions for me 😳

[Slightlyperturbedowlagain]

It does sound a bit odd and may not be accurate -which may make you want to consider future possible 'neighbour issues'

[C4priSun]

That's what my DH said, he doesn't want to have an angry neighbour or a sewage garden 🤦🏻‍♀️

[specialsubject]

Raise a query with the sellers and consider a drainage survey.

[C4priSun]

I didn't even know a drainage survey was a thing 😁 Thanks

[BubblesBuddy]

There could be a variety of reasons this is happening. The neighbour's should have contacted the council about this because it is an environmental hazard and you will be required to fix it.

Is it mains drainage? Or is it a septic tank or even a cesspit that needs emptying every 8 weeks? If it is, this will cost you to get rid of it. Yes to a drainage survey. Some houses share non mains drainage and leakages find their way to the lowest point or even discharge into farmland. Be careful about this. It is a health hazzard. Is the person selling elderly? Perhaps they wouldn't do anything about it?

[C4priSun]

Yea the owners are an older couple who have been in the house since it was built. It's a public sewer that goes through the back gardens I think.

It just sounds like a major pita potentially 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Palomb]

Just have a drain camera done and then you'll know whether it's anything to worry about or not.

[C4priSun]

Apparently it only happens when the rain is very heavy, but will look into the camera thing thanks 😁

[Maverick66]

Walk away. dS lives in an old house that has this problem.
One neighbour blames the other and no authority will take responsibility. All round it's a nightmare.

[C4priSun]

That's what I worry about mav