Drains

[Abe Ditori]

I have a problem with the drains running beneath my back garden. They run under my garden and all of my neighbours. There is a blockage somewhere within the pipes. Who is responsible for paying for there repair? 

[Hermia]

'Tis a tricky one. I'm lucky 'cause my drains are pre-1935 so we don't have to pay for any repairs etc. They frequently get blocked though and the guy who came out said the person whose house is above the blockage would usually have to pay. We had a lot of problems with our drains getting blocked last year and it turned out the neighbour was flushing nappies down the loo! Luckily the guy could see we didn't have children so he went and gave the neighbours a stern talking to.

What's interesting is that the guys who come out always seem to be able to tell whose fault the blockage is. I guess the problem with you is that whoever called out the plumber would end up paying even if it was obvious they were not to blame.