To get neighbours septic tank off my land?!

[Ladyoftheapple]

My neighbours septic tank is in our back garden.
It is all a bit odd but basically before we moved in, the prior owner owned both houses.
Anyway, we recently replaced the manhole cover on top as it was quite corroded but in doing so could see that their septic tank was pretty full with poo (its comings probably about 100cm from the top). About a month ago we spoke to the neighbour to say it needed emptying. He also said he wanted to look as he doesn’t feel like he’s seen it before 😳 since then, he has not done anything about it. We have messaged since and he said he forgot and he will come around and look on the weekend which he did not.

As this is on our land and no benefit to us other than the hassle of asking him to empty it which he is yet to do!! Would it be wrong to get him to sort his own on his land?! Is this even possible?! I have young children running around in our garden. He had it emptied once when he moved in which was about 5 years ago 😳

That can be found here

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/general-binding-rules-small-sewage-discharge-to-the-ground

We were told it should be done every year!

By the people you pay to empty it? I was told that too but I’ve emptied. It once in 12 years.

It sounds like they've got an easement, and as suck you can't make him move it. Unless you're planning to offer to pay for a new one on his land?

And 100cm from the top sounds completely normal, and doesn't sound like it needs emptying.

Have you had a septic tank before OP? I've had several, and never had any issues at all. One was definitely not emptied for 12 years, because the landlord was supposed to do it, and never did while we lived there.

Your situation would not bother me in the slightest, other than the damaged cover, which you've now replaced.

The levels of septic tank know how, plus associated legalities displayed in this thread is truly impressive.

As others have said, this isn't how septic tanks work.
Make sure you have correct info before making a big deal of this because it really doesn't sound like there is an issue at all. Trust me, he will know if the tank is blocked/needs emptying.
There is also no reason why it should affect your children in the garden.

We are 10 years in our house and have had it emptied once to have it tested. A properly working tank doesn't need much emptying.

If you do it every year I doubt it will ever work properly it needs to grow its own culture like yoghurt.

Believe me, when you have a septic tank, you learn fast.

I've a septic tank on my own land which is emptied every few years, my local authority does a free empty once a year if required.
When we've forgotten to organise this,there has been a few incidents of it spilling over and that's not pleasant.

Could you not give him a deadline to have it emptied or you will arrange for the tanker and for him to be billed? Maybe get your solicitor to write it?

Why would a solicitor do that? You can’t just have a solicitor write a letter to make any old demand you like. Op clearly hasn’t got a clue how septic tanks work and has had a look inside one and decided it needs emptying. Unfortunately this doesn’t mean she’s right. No solicitor worth their salt will be writing any letter demanding someone do something they aren’t required to do by law. Even if op really, really wants them to do it.

Please go and do some reading about it, Apple, and learn how they work and what should be happening inside them, particularly as your own drainage system depends on one. Things can and do go wrong with them - for example putting bleach down your drains (including via the loo) or using biological washing powder/liquid can kill the useful bacteria needed for it to function properly.

Is it definitely his legal responsibility to get it emptied? If it is, I suspect you might just need to nag him to get the gongfarmer as soon as possible. Remind him too that he will be responsible for any damage to your property if it does overflow...

When your lawn has loo roll on it then you have a problem.

Why? There's still no evidence that it actually needs emptying. Nagging isn't going to encourage him to spend money on something he probably doesn't need to do.

A court case to get them to pay for having a septic tank emptied that didn’t need emptying? Are you having a laugh?

Give him a week or say you will do it and claim all costs back. Then pump it out onto his land

Give him a week or say you will do it and claim all costs back. Then pump it out onto his land

OP don't do this, it's an incredibly stupid suggestion.

I would check with a solicitor but I would think if he doesn’t empty it, you could do so and send him the bill.

My parents have a septic rank and it's only needed attention once in 50 years. They are a self contained sewage works!

So what grounds do you think you have to get it moved?

This is the stupidest suggestion so far 👏

You can’t decide, whilst knowing nothing about septic tanks, that this tank needs emptying. Why are people giving op such fucking stupid advice, based on no knowledge of the law at all?

Good grief what a load of tosh you townies are spouting - no knowledge of rural living at all. OP try talking to your neighbour and find out about the system first. 1m from the top is totally normal and sounds like the outlet is working perfectly.

Is it a cesspit or septic tank? They have different emptying requirements!