Drainage Queries on Conveyancing of freehold house in Newcastle

Fridaysmove Newcastle Conveyancing Solicitor Catherine Williams achieved swift completion on the purchase of a freehold semi-detached house in Kenton Lane, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE3. Instructions were received from Mr & Mrs B, and local agents Rook Matthews Sayer of 165/167 High Street Gosforth NE3 1HE sent Catherine the sale particulars.

Newcastle Conveyancing Solicitors Hay & Kilner of  Merchant House, 30 Cloth Market, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1EE were acting for the sellers, and they promptly sent the draft purchase agreement and ancillary documents including copy of the land registry title, so that Catherine could take necessary action.

The property was a semi-detached house with separate garage, valued at about £188,000.

Catherine arranged for a local search to be carried out with Newcastle city council. The results confirmed that the property fronted an adopted public highway, and there were no planning entries affecting the property.

A water and drainage search was also made with Northumbrian Water, who are responsible for providing water and drainage services in the Newcastle region. Even for long-established residential properties like this, Conveyancing Solicitors will want to check that properties have a mains water supply and are connected to public sewers.
Most houses usually enjoy a water supply direct from the main, although this is not always the case with rural properties.

Unlike electricity and gas supplies, where the supply company is responsible for cables and pipes running into a property, many properties in towns are not directly connected to public sewers. Instead drainage often flows into private combined drains, which may run under adjoining property for some considerable distance before finally connecting to the main sewer. Where this is the case, individual property owners will be responsible for the drains within their boundaries. The drainage search will include a plan showing the position of drains in the vicinity of the property, and indicate which are adopted and which are private.

If a property is connected to private drains running through adjoining land, Conveyancing Solicitors will need to check that the title deeds contain necessary legal rights. They will also raise enquiries as to whether there have been any problems. Fortunately this is rare, but there are statutory powers enabling local authorities to carry out repairs to private drains, and will then charge each relevant owner for the cost of the works.

Sometimes an adopted sewer will run through the boundaries of a property, in which case the buyer should be aware that the water company has the right to enter and carry out any repair work. Also buildings cannot be erected over public sewers.

This Newcastle property was connected to a private drain serving a couple of adjoining houses before connecting into the main sewer in the road. The title referred to necessary legal rights, and the sellers said that they had not had any problems with the drains. The water search also confirmed that there was a water main in the road to which the house was connected. Catherine was able to report accordingly to her clients.

The rest of the legal work was straightforward, and the purchase completed in good time.

Get an online quote for a Fridaysmove Conveyancing Solicitor in Newcastle, or phone 0330 650 0286.