Drainage Plans - Developer Not Playing Ball

Aruffell · 3 Nov 2017 at 15:16

Hi all,

I was going to put this into home but it's more of a legal issue than anything I'd say, but feel free to move it if necessary.

We bought a house off plan from Persimmon and got the keys on 9th May 2016. Word of advice, never buy a house from them, they are crooks.

When we bought the house, we had to go over all of the plans and was clearly told "there are no drains on your property and they even showed us the plans in the sales office. As part of our deeds etc... we were only given plans showing the boundary lines and speaking to our the solicitors who did our conveyancing, that is all they have too.

Fast forward to now and we have some problems with some drains (that are on our property) and after being reminded by my mrs that "wasn't we told we didnt have drains". I queried it. I asked them for copies of the plans to which we've been told it is their company policy not to issue the drawings outside of the company and therefore can't provide them. Surely, this is my house, I should be entitled to see them?

My thinking based on the way they have been acting, is that they know the drains shouldn't be there and would not be willing to move them as it will cost them as a company, hence not wanting to show us.

I've spoken to the council and the waterboard and none of them have the plans and referred us to the NHBC (who deal with warranties etc) and they confirmed that they do have the plans but can only show us if Persimmon allow them to so right now we are between a rock and a hard place.

Anyone got any ideas on how to proceed on this?

Thanks,

Andy

LOAM · 3 Nov 2017 at 15:40

What sort of problems are you having? Do you have any manholes on the plot?

Its highly unlikely you have no drains on your property and I imagine what they meant was you have no one else's drains on your plot, where does foul and surface water go to?

Aruffell · 3 Nov 2017 at 15:59

LOAM said:
What sort of problems are you having? Do you have any manholes on the plot?

Its highly unlikely you have no drains on your property and I imagine what they meant was you have no one else's drains on your plot, where does foul and surface water go to?

The drains on our property aren't actually fitted. You can simply come along the side of our house and remove the lid and walk off with them.

We have no idea where it goes as we have no plans to see.

These are the drains in question (inspection chambers):

Spoke to NHBC again and they said if i get persimmon to grant access then the NHBC can show us, but they have already said no.

Andy

Mr.E. · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:04

The drains on our property aren't actually fitted.

What does this mean ? But as said above, of course you have drains op your property.

Hagar · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:14

In your solicitors searches, they should have done a utilities search which will (should) have a plan of the main drainage in the vicinity, sewers etc. Possibly as a new build, this was not done as the sewers were still off plan so to speak.

In our recent purchase, all searches were copied to me via email as .pdf files.

You will have an interceptor manhole on the sewer which will be on your property or close by on the road or pavement. The lids are not fixed usually but need a key to lift them.

Aruffell · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:31

Mr.E. said:
What does this mean ? But as said above, of course you have drains op your property.

You can literally take the two parts (lid and edge) and lift it up and walk away with it if you so wish.

nkata said:
In your solicitors searches, they should have done a utilities search which will (should) have a plan of the main drainage in the vicinity, sewers etc. Possibly as a new build, this was not done as the sewers were still off plan so to speak.

In our recent purchase, all searches were copied to me via email as .pdf files.

You will have an interceptor manhole on the sewer which will be on your property or close by on the road or pavement. The lids are not fixed usually but need a key to lift them.

The ones I showed above you can literally lift up and wander off with them.

ci_newman · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:36

What is the actual issue? That there are drain covers on your land that you were not warned about?

NoobCannon · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:37

So you mean the manhole covers arent installed? They are just sitting there covering nothing?

Whats the actual problem

Aruffell · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:42

ci_newman said:
What is the actual issue? That there are drain covers on your land that you were not warned about?

Two issues, the first being that I was told there were no drains but can't prove it as the only ones with the plans showing it is the developer who won't let me see it. Probably because they know they are wrong.

The second being that if they are meant to be there, they aren't actually installed and are simply resting on top.

NoobCannon said:
So you mean the manhole covers arent installed? They are just sitting there covering nothing?

Whats the actual problem

They are resting on top and aren't actually fitted to anything, that's the issue. You could walk along and take the lid off and walk away with it if you wanted. Though the main issue is that I was told that we had no drains etc...

( |-| |2 ][ $ · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:43

Aruffell said:
The ones I showed above you can literally lift up and wander off with them.

How's that different to the inspection covers in anyone's garden?

Grass over them if you want, but when you need to inspect your drains then you'll have to dig it up obviously.

FuriousGeorge · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:44

Well you must have some sort of drains on your property as otherwise where do your drains drain to?

NoobCannon · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:45

So the frames havent been cemented to the blockwork underneath?

Take the covers off and take a picture.

Mr.E. · 3 Nov 2017 at 16:46

Maybe he uses chamber pots ? :confused:

This is very strange indeed.

LOAM · 3 Nov 2017 at 17:07

Aruffell said:
They are resting on top and aren't actually fitted to anything, that's the issue. You could walk along and take the lid off and walk away with it if you wanted. Though the main issue is that I was told that we had no drains etc...

Resting on top of what?

Is there just earth under that man hole cover?

Slam62 · 3 Nov 2017 at 17:14

Drains are really bad man, I would never buy a house with drains.

Haze · 3 Nov 2017 at 17:15

I am confused if these are just his drains, or if they connect to other properties

LOAM · 3 Nov 2017 at 17:18

This could be a candidate for thread of the year to be honest, its surreal enough.

Slam62 · 3 Nov 2017 at 17:20

LOAM said:
This could be a candidate for thread of the year to be honest, its surreal enough.

It's draining my energy

touch · 3 Nov 2017 at 17:22

Why would you want to have no drains?
The rainwater which falls off your roof would just soak into your foundations...

Scrutinize · 3 Nov 2017 at 17:23

Aruffell said:
Two issues, the first being that I was told there were no drains

The second being that if they are meant to be there, they aren't actually installed and are simply resting on top.

They are resting on top and aren't actually fitted to anything, that's the issue. You could walk along and take the lid off and walk away with it if you wanted. Though the main issue is that I was told that we had no drains etc...

You will always have fresh and foul inspection covers on a new build. These should have a frame they rest in but they are not usually locked, to enable free access to the utility companies. There isn't much demand for theft of them.

Honestly, how do you think your property is serviced by utilities, Wireless Connection

?

The searches would have shown if you had mains utilities under plot which can be an issue for rights of access or risk of leaks etc. Developer will have had these plans available to them which is what they will have referred to.

Have you got a copy of the detailed plot drawings showing levels and the drainage strategy? It should be available either from the council, developer or on the council's planning portal under the applications discharge of conditions reference.