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Evening all
I'm not sure that this falls under the aegis of 'consumer rights' but a) it might prove constructive for fellow members in general; and b) I'm hopeful that there are some wise folks about that may be able to help out.
My parents live in the countryside in Scotland. They do not have mains sewerage. They have a septic tank. The septic tank is on their property. It is shared with the house next to them. All costs thus far have been split equally between the two houses/parties (electricity, emptying, servicing, etc). There has never been anything contractual between either parties to state as such - it's always been that way so no need to stop it (or as I think of it, being neighbours).
18 months a go, their neighbours of 10 years sold their house. A new couple moved in. One works in the south of England and is only there at weekends. The other is a teacher and, as they are alone for most of the week, goes to work early and comes home late. Since moving in, the tank has been emptied twice and serviced once. There has been issue over this.
This week, however, the tank broke down. The bearings had gone. To replace them will cost £720 (inc. VAT). My father is inclined to mention it to their neighbours but not to ask for any money. He is of the mind that the bearings have gone due to wear and tear. You cannot expect somebody that has only lived there 18 months to pay half (especially as they are hardly there).
Does anybody have ANY advice on this issue? My immediate reaction was "Don't be daft". My fear is that if my father doesn't ask for the money, and because he will say that it's unfair to ask them to pay for something that hasn't been caused by them to any great extent, the neighbours could use this against my parents the next time the electricity needs to be paid or the tank serviced. A case of "We're only here at weekends so we only want to pay for what we use". A case of proportionality.
Any ideas folks? Much obliged.
I'm not sure that this falls under the aegis of 'consumer rights' but a) it might prove constructive for fellow members in general; and b) I'm hopeful that there are some wise folks about that may be able to help out.
My parents live in the countryside in Scotland. They do not have mains sewerage. They have a septic tank. The septic tank is on their property. It is shared with the house next to them. All costs thus far have been split equally between the two houses/parties (electricity, emptying, servicing, etc). There has never been anything contractual between either parties to state as such - it's always been that way so no need to stop it (or as I think of it, being neighbours).
18 months a go, their neighbours of 10 years sold their house. A new couple moved in. One works in the south of England and is only there at weekends. The other is a teacher and, as they are alone for most of the week, goes to work early and comes home late. Since moving in, the tank has been emptied twice and serviced once. There has been issue over this.
This week, however, the tank broke down. The bearings had gone. To replace them will cost £720 (inc. VAT). My father is inclined to mention it to their neighbours but not to ask for any money. He is of the mind that the bearings have gone due to wear and tear. You cannot expect somebody that has only lived there 18 months to pay half (especially as they are hardly there).
Does anybody have ANY advice on this issue? My immediate reaction was "Don't be daft". My fear is that if my father doesn't ask for the money, and because he will say that it's unfair to ask them to pay for something that hasn't been caused by them to any great extent, the neighbours could use this against my parents the next time the electricity needs to be paid or the tank serviced. A case of "We're only here at weekends so we only want to pay for what we use". A case of proportionality.
Any ideas folks? Much obliged.
