Buying a house - sewer issue

[emdude]

We are buying a house - built in the 60's, no problems with purchase so far. Today we've heard from our solicitor who has raised an issue with the sewers. See below...

If there are any private sewers and/or drains within the boundaries of the property then these will be yours (and any neighbouring properties if they drain to it) responsibility. However if the sewers/drains are shared as of 2011 the water authority made such shared drains and sewers public and therefore maintainable at their expense. Therefore it is difficult to establish whether the sewers/drains within the boundaries of the property will be your responsibility or the water authorities. The only way of ever finding out is if something goes wrong to initially call the Water Authority to establish whether they will take responsibility or not.

Given the risk involved I strongly suggest that you have the drains/sewers checked at the property to ensure they are not blocked or causing any difficulties prior to committing yourselves to the purchase. If you decide not to do so and there is anything found to be wrong with the sewers/drains after exchange of contracts you will not have any recourse against the sellers and the difficulties will become yours.

So now I'm worried!! Any advice what we do, who we get to look at them, and what sort risk we would be taking on if the drains were our responsibility?!!!

Help!!!!!!

Also whether this could be called covered by house insurance?

its standard spiel .if your sewer pipe is not share it belongs to you and you look after it . If it's shared WA look after and most house insurance cover this but check very cheap policies normal don't or have massive excess for this . The same applies to the property where you live now. Ask your solicitor most deeds have the drains marked in the plan which shown your hose plot and boundary

Thank you for replying, will check out our insurance policy!!

Getting it camera checked shouldn't be that expensive if you're really worried. However we had virtually identical wording on a letter from our solicitor too so I think it's probably covering arses time

That is just surveyor speak to suggest you check out the situation - doesnt mean there is a big problem.

DH has just had a drain survey for a client, it was £150 plus VAT.
We have BG insurance cover on central heating, electric, water and drains. Unblocking our drain cost £60 excess.

Apologies, pls ignore my post. I mistakenly posted on this thread when I should have started a new one. I have asked Admin to delete my post.