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Anonymous
Anonymous asked in Home & GardenMaintenance & Repairs · 1 decade ago

Help My neigbour has broken a sewer drain in my garden?

Several months age he had a water leak and came round as it was easier to fix it on our side.

He owns a drainage company so we though,t Ok he knows what he is doing so we said 'OK do what you need to do as long as its all made good afterwards'

There was so much water leaking that he broke the main drainage pipe for the water to flow away while he fixed the leak.

He fixed the leak and now we are left with a great big hole outside the house and to top it all there is now human waste stuck in the drain. We have had to cover the hole up with a lard piece of wood because its disgusting.

I have complained to him several times and he keeps saying he is busy but he will get one of his guys to do it next week. Next week never seems to come.

I am now getting worried as the weather starts to get warmer its going to cause a health problem.

Is there anything I can do legally or get the authorities involved.

We are in the UK

Many thanks

Update:

Sorry meant to read Large piece of wood not lard

tahnks

9 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    What a let down this twerp is.

    Write him a letter, give him a date that YOU want him to FINISH the job by, be assertive and let him know that there is a risk of TYPHOID from open drains and the date set for completion is non-negotiable, any further delaying on his part will have you resorting to the local authorities and legal teams.

  • 1 decade ago

    I live in the US and own a small plumbing service company. He should be told sternly that if he doesn't fix the problem that he created that you will report him to whatever health bureau or organization that he should be held accountable to. And YES if he does not get on it within the time frame allotted then hold him accountable and report him to every authority that you can think of (even the police). It IS a serious health risk! Hepatitis is always lurking near open sewer! People tend to do a terrific job for a paying customer and then fail to give themselves, their spouse, their unpaying neighbor the same attention. He probably sees it in a way that it was "his" mess and he'll clean it up when he has time (when he isn't making money and is fully rested and feels like it)... Get my point? It will never happen unless you make the procrastinator fix the issue! Threaten him and if he won't budge call the authorities who will make him. He may be angry with you but you did not ask for the situation that he has placed you in. Hope you get it fixed.

  • 1 decade ago

    I would go to the council and talk to them about it but you may have to get a lawyer and threaten him with a lawsuit. Since it will be a health hazard the council should get involved though. I would send him a letter saying that if he hasn't fixed it by a certain date then you will have it fixed and send him the bill but that might be better sent by a lawyer. Try the council first though. Very annoying when you were trying to be helpful to be left high and dry so to speak. You tried to be nice about it...time for the big guns now.

  • 1 decade ago

    Speak to him and tell him he has 7 days to make good the piping before you report him to environmental services.

    Most local councils have a web site you can contact them on. Failing that try Direct.dov if you live in the UK.

    It sounds to me like you have been very reasonable and that's what he's relying on. It's time to make a stand, after all it's your health that will suffer.

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  • 1 decade ago

    If you report it to local authority and get them to send health inspector round to look at problem,thing is though,problem with shared drains is that all tenants are responsible for any repair costs due to blockages,leaks etc.If local authority do it you may end up with a big bill.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    You can get some redress through the courts. Councils will not want to be involved. So it depends on whether you want to keep on good terms with your neighbour. Taking him to court may sour the relationship, but if you are beyond caring now, you may want to go that way. The other way is to keep badgering them until they relent. Play the distressed person, tearing your hair out because you cannot stand it any more, it's driving you nuts, Oh, please do something... That may do it and still maintain a modicum of peace later on.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Department of Health at your Local Authority!! Go this morning and make a nuisance of yourself.

    Source(s): 62 cynical years making tea on an Aga, with an orrerey and abacus and a ginger tomcat.
  • 1 decade ago

    Speak to the Citizens Advice Beaureau. (not sure about the spelling there).

  • 1 decade ago

    get in touch with local council .health department and they will sort it out for you

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