SEVERN TRENT SEARCHES SET TO GUIDE SOLICITORS THROUGH THE RECENT SEWER TRANSFER.
Severn Trent Searches, one of the leading providers of conveyancing search solutions in the Midlands, can guide solicitors through new legislation transferring the ownership of sewers and lateral drains from householders to water and sewerage companies.
The move, implemented on 1 October 2011 has resulted in the majority of underground sewer assets, outside the boundaries of a property and those that are within boundaries but shared by neighbouring buildings, being transferred into public ownership. In the Midlands alone, an estimated 37,000 km* of additional sewers now come under the responsibility of Severn Trent Water and private home owners will no longer be responsible for repairing these services.
Lorna Bown, General Manager of Severn Trent Retail & Utility Services Ltd. explained “these legislative changes will benefit consumers by removing liability for repairs of assets outside their property boundary and will avoid confusion over who is responsible for sewers. At Severn Trent Searches, we support the changes and have been preparing for them for some time”.
A number of implications for solicitors and their clients…
The transfer brings a number of implications for both conveyancing solicitors and consumers alike. Householders are no longer responsible for the cost of repairing transferred sewers and lateral drains. The likelihood of sewers, close to or within client boundaries being owned by a Water Company has increased dramatically and property owners need to be aware that water companies have statutory rights of access to these assets. CON29DW Drainage & Water Enquiry responses will also change and future applications for building regulations may be affected.
User-friendly website provides the answers…
Severn Trent Searches is already working proactively to guide solicitors through the changes and provide the information they need to advise clients on future property purchases. The company’s website has been enhanced with a wealth of advice on the changes, the implications and how they affect CON29DW searches.
Lorna Bown continued “Severn Trent Searches is uniquely placed to help solicitors provide clients with the professional services they need when purchasing properties.
As a leading regional search company in the Midlands, we are knowledgeable, approachable and offer first class consumer protection. Our close links with Severn Trent Water provide access to unrivalled expertise and enable our sewer records to be updated at the same time.”
Severn Trent Searches is the region’s official provider of the CON29DW Drainage & Water Enquiry, having completed more than 1.5 million of these searches and also having worked with solicitors as trusted search specialists for over 11 years.
“Going forward, we’re committed to providing a reliable solution and exceptional service and urge conveyancing solicitors to visit our website which has been developed to help answer any questions they or their clients may have relating to the changes”.
Find out more by visiting Severn Trent Searches’ website at www.severntrentsearches.com/sewertransfer.aspx
*Source: Severn Trent Water website: www.stwater.co.uk/sewerownership