Question re shared drain with neighbour

[EL8888]

We live in a flat with a shared garden, the deeds reflect this and both property owners regard it as such. There is a drain that both properties feed into in the garden. At intervals it gets blocked, my DP has dealt with it since we moved in. Its backed up again this week l noticed tonight. It is a grim job to sort but water is about to lap into the garden, it stinks and lots of rain is forecast for this weekend where we are. lm trying to think of a polite way to communicate to our neighbours that’s it’s their turn to sort it. Any suggestions?

In my area (covered by Southern Water) if a shared drain gets blocked then it is there responsibility to unblock it.

Yes if a shared drain gets blocked in my area it is the water board’s job to manage it. They should put measures in place to stop it from blocking again.

But it’s inside the properties boundary in effect so l thought we were jointly liable. The last 3 times DP has done it so it’s now my neighbours turn

Might be an idea to phone the water company. They will be best placed to advise you.
You and your partner shouldn’t be dealing with this solely.
If Southern Water say that it’s between you and your neighbours then you need to discuss the issue with them, going forward.

What a shitty thing to happen. Water company responsibility.

I used to work in property maintenance. The advice given here is correct, shared drains fall under the remit of the water company even if within the property boundary. Contact them to sort... However, for it to be backing up that badly and regularly it suggests there is a bigger issue. Do either of you have kids? Wipes going down the loo is the most common cause of this and they may charge you both if they find that to be the case.