Neighbour wants to run drain through my garden

[ADVICENEEDED987]

My neighbour has asked if they can run a drain underground through my garden to meet the main combined drain for the row of houses.

They currently have a soakaway for water from their roof but this has failed. Instead of replacing it they want to run a pipe underground to take the water to the main drain but joining it in my garden rather than theirs (I think their inspection cover has been concreted over).

It would mean digging up part of my patio, flowerbeds etc. What would you do? My instinct is to say no. Whose responsibly would it become if it gets blocked? It's disruptive to my garden, plants/hedge will have to come out) would my insurance provider be happy with it? Any risks if it goes wrong (I think it would be done as a diy job rather than by a contractor). I don't really know anything about drainage and plumbing so any advice would be very gratefully received!

thread title edited by MNHQ at OP's request.

No, to add to the reasons why not the land above would not be available for any future building/ extensions on your land

Just say no. Simple.

It would be a hard no from me.
We had to allow a national gas network team access to dig up our side passage to alter my neighbour’s gas connection. The workers told me the neighbour had told them to dig up our deck and chop down a section of our hedge and fence so the gas supply could go around to the back wall of her house instead of into a study. Luckily for us, the workers said no to that. But who knows what could have happened had a different company been involved.
It’s nice to be nice but sometimes you’ve got to say no way!

I wouldn't even consider saying yes, why would anyone ?

Edited to add - make sure you put it in writing to both your neighbor and that company that you refuse all intervention and access to your property

100% you must say no.

They can't make changes to your property without an agreement which would take time and cost money to secure.

You would really create a big legal issue for yourself if you agree to any work on your property without proper paperwork.

And yes to putting it in writing "I don't give permission for any work on my property"

Thanks all, I will definitely put it in writing

It would take months to arrange legally anyway, they wouldn't be starting anytime soon even if you had agreed.