Tree Roots and Neighbours Drains

[plumpkin99]

Hi all

This is my first post here so hope that it's on the correct board.
We are in the process of purchasing a property and I have a question about a potential issue that could happen in the future.
The neighbouring houses drains cross over the front corner of the property which we are purchasing. The neighbouring houses were built approx 1960's, the house which we are buying is 1900's. Where the drains cross our land is also a very large copper beech tree also on our land - which has obviously been there longer than the drains have.
My question is - if the roots of the copper beech tree were to damage the neighbours drains, then who would be liable for the repairs on them.

If it would be our liability, then is there any type of insurance that can be taken out to cover for this.

Thanks

your bog standard buildings insurance should cover your liability. if there is any risk to your drains, might be worth checking/taking out an optional extra which will cover blocked drains. We did this with current property (think it was Direct Line) and within a year they had paid to have the pipe replaced with plastic of some sort that is tree root proof.

It's also worth being aware of who is responsible for which drains as the rules changed last year. Now your neighbour's drain is the responsibility of the water company from where it crosses your boundary.

Thanks for the info. I phoned the water company up this afternoon, and indeed they did confirm that the rules have changed and they are responsible for the drain after it leaves the neighbours property, and therefore they would also be responsible for any repairs required to it in the future.