Build over problems

A change to the law in 2011 means that thousands of formerly private sewers are now publicly owned. But what are the implications when these sewers run under your property?

The 2011 Private Sewer Transfer saw the majority of private sewers and drains in England and Wales transferred into public ownership. Thousands of kilometres of pipework – the repair and maintenance of which homeowners were liable for (often without their knowledge) – became the responsibility of water companies. Whilst this was undoubtedly good news for homeowners, it has created somewhat of a legal grey area when these sewers have been built over by their former owners.
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