On 1st October 2011, the Government will be transferring all sewage pipes outside the boundaries of your property to local sewerage / water companies. The transfer will not be immediate, the plans are for a gradual roll out and it is currently unclear how long this will take or which areas will be transferred first.
Aimee Barnett, a Conveyancing Executive in our Residential Conveyancing Team, explains "At the present time, property owners are usually responsible for the sewage pipes that drain into public sewers - up to the point where they connect with those sewers. People are often unaware that they are responsible for repairs and on-going maintenance of these drains or pipes until a problem arises and they are faced with a large bill."
The transfer will provide more effective maintenance, reduce disputes over repair costs and will allow better management of the sewerage network. The cost of the transfer will be met by an increase in water/sewerage rates.
Aimee continues "Property owners will remain responsible for the private drains within their boundary, but concerns have been raised about home owners who wish to build an extension or conservatory - will this require buildover agreements with the local authority? We await a decision on this, but in the meantime those owning or buying property ought to be aware of this."
The Government body DEFRA has estimated that the rise in home owners’ bills will be between £3 - £14 per annum, dependant on the state of the pipes and also on OFWAT, who regulate the water industry’s charges.