To ask neighbour to split plumbing costs.

[Bathtubblues]

I’m in a ground floor and warm water came up into our bathtub and kitchen sink today. Upstairs has recently had work done including a new dishwasher where there wasn’t one and a new washing machine where there was one.

Shortly after them using the washing machine for the first time our bathtub was full of their waste water. I can’t get hold of any plumbers to look in til next week but one said it’s coming from their flat and so they need to pay. Another said it’s a blocked communal waste drain outside that we’d both need to pay unless it was something they did that triggered the blockage in which case they’d cover.

Is anyone plumbing savvy who can advise?

You need to look at your waste water company rules - some shared drains are their responsibility others are yours as owner/tenant.

*ground floor flat

(the plumbers I spoke to were on the the phone only).

Do you have home emergency cover with your bank or house insurance?
you need to understand the issue before you know who’s liable

Ex house insurance claims manager here. Dependent on if it's a blocked drain, which could be you, both of you, the whole street dependent where the block is, or hopefully the water board.
I would ring the water board and they may be able to sort and will Bill accordingly or dyno rod or similar as it's definitely a drain problem...dyno did will come urgently

Ex water and sewerage company employee here.

Pop over to neighbours in another building and ask if their drains are backing up. If they are, it's likely to be the main sewer- and therefore the responsibility of your local sewerage company .
Only the sewerage company are allowed to access the sewer in the street.
(If you make the mistake of calling a private company first and they say its the public sewer then they're 1. Going to charge you a call-out fee anyway and 2. Refer you to the sewerage company).

Thank you all for replying.

Upstairs is not backed up, just me but with their waste water. I’ve texted a neighbour who is not backed up.