CCTV drains survey?

[CelticPromise]

We're selling a house and as usual it's dragging on and on. Buyers have had a full survey which has thrown up some relatively minor issues that weren't a surprise, and some things that seem like nonsense. One is that he recommends a full cctv survey of the drains. We've never had any issues with the drains and our manhole is under a deck so if we allow someone to come and do it they could cause damage (and we aren't living in the area anymore so can't supervise). It will also cause a further delay when we are virtually ready to exchange.

I'm inclined to say they can't do it. I've never even thought of having such a thing done. Anyone had any experience of getting one or their buyers getting one? Would you let them?

Can you find out who would actually pay for any repairs if there was a problem with the drains? A lot of water companies have now taken responsibility for all sewer length inc the length from the main sewer up to the point it goes under the foundation wall.

If this is the case and a small problem is found on CCTV the buyers need to ask what they expect to be done about it. Because the water company isn't going to fix it unless its causing problems. Loads of old sewers have problems such as big cracks and 99% of such cracks don't cause problems.

If the sewer is your responsibility and there's a problem are they going to ask for money off for a defect which isn't causing a problem??! If so I'd be telling them to fuck off!

That's a good point. I will check who's responsible. They have already asked three times for money off for various reasons and we have told them to fuck off. The house is in outer London and the market is going up although not as madly as in some areas. I just want to get it over and done with.

I had this done when I bought (in London). I'd had full building survey and a structural engineer as there were some issues. It was recommended by the engineer. Didn't ask for any money off as a result. I just like to know exactly what I'm buying. But I did everything v promptly.

If the vendors had refused permission would you have completed the purchase cooper?

I don't know - it would make me a bit suspicious if anything like that was refused. Although probably yes. But your buyers sound very different to me if they are continually trying to get money off for stuff. I totally get why you are frustrated!

I'm happy to answer their questions about the drains, which have caused us zero problems in seven years. I just don't want them to get their own person in to take the deck apart. Their surveyor visited when we were on holiday, left doors open, made a mess etc. I'm not sure what the cctv would achieve since we won't be offering any discount! Also, they have had the survey fir a month and only just said they want to do it.

Sigh. Why does it always have to be such a faff! Thanks for your reply cooper I do appreciate why you might to know everything about such a big purchase.

We had this done when we bought our house. We felt the same - if a sewer runs under our house we wanted to make sure it was sound and that we knew what we were buying! Access was much easier though as the manhole cover wasn't covered so to speak. The survey did bring up some issues costing 400 pounds to fix. We were anal FTBs and asked the vendor to fix them. He wanted to do it via his house insurance but then this was going to take ages. We exchanged and completed anyway when we found out via our own research that Thames Water was responsible for maintenance of the drain so that gave us reassurance. As it were the issue was minor and unblocking the drain pretty much sorted it.

A lot of people don't know about the adoption of drains, so it may be worth pointing that out.

Also, I have drain surveys carried out frequently in my line of work. I have NEVER had one come back saying that everything is fine.

Thankyou for the replies. Is it automatic that the water company is responsible for the drains to the foundation wall or do I need to check? Would it be on the water search done by their solicitors?

My feeling about the search is that there are no issues whatsoever with the drains currently, and we wouldn't be paying for a repair of a defect not causing a problem. If they did have a problem after moving in they would be insured I presume. And we'd have to sort the deck out (of course it shouldn't be over the manhole but what's done is done there). So all it would achieve would be yet another delay.

no survey ever comes back saying all is well! It certainly won't with an inaccessible manhole.

if you won't discount whatever the result, pass that on to your buyers. They can then make a decision.

Would they have to use the manhole to do the survey? I needed my drains to be checked, and they couldn't even find a manhole (they think it might have been tarmacked over by a previous owner ) but they put the camera through a small hole in the down pipe from the bathroom.

Hmmm that's a good question. If they don't need the manhole and they can do it this week... But then I'm sure they'll be asking for discounts. Again.

The manhole... Well there was always a vague plan to put in a hatch, but it was never exactly top of the list.

Further information about the transfer of private sewers is available at
www.thameswater.co.uk/help-and-advice/8654.htm

There is a leaflet which shows who is responsible for the maintenance and repair of sewers. Even if you are not within Thames Waters region, the same responsibilities will apply.

As a link

www.thameswater.co.uk/help-and-advice/8654.htm

Thanks busywheels.

We are having this done today because our survey said we needed to. Our mortgage company wouldn't proceed without the report so there's a chance your buyers are in the same position. In our case though it's because they are 40yr old pitch fibre and there's evidence of blockage.

Our buyers are doing it because of the independent survey report, which recommends it despite no evidence of problems, I think surveyor is covering his back. He has made a few recommendations that have made me

I have seen the survey yes. There is no particular reason for the cctv recommendation. Maybe the age of the house, I don't know.