Severn Trent Drainage

[EmJayIOW]

Evening all,

We purchased a property in 2023 which was declared to be on mains drainage (previous owners, survey - not full drainage survey). We've had issues with sewerage flooding, Severn Trent have told us today we are not on mains but polluting. The have not tracked our drains in any way but are going of maps.

We've spoken to the previous owners who had work done by a private company and are adamant that the work connected the drains to those that at the time were a commercial building. The commercial premise has been abandoned and reclaimed by nature.

We've contacted the council for drain maps and are requesting a second opinion from the private company that did the work fifteen years ago.

If Severn Trent are right do we just need to suck up the cost or can we claim costs from the people who sold us the property? How far back can previous owners claim? We have all paid for waste removal and we know the ownership history over forty years.

If they are wrong are we able to claim the money spent on the survey which they haven't done?

Are there any other steps we've overlooked?

Thank you

[echat11]

Hi EMJAYIOW

Welcome to LB

Aside the issue you raise, water companies hasn't a great reputation for information, service etc, they pretty much
say anything, that's the starting point, until you nail down the facts.

Clearly information is important to finding a way forward and decisions you make.

a) Send Seven Trent a Subject Access Request, see what information you get back. Make sure you get Proof of Postage.

https://legalbeagles.info/library/gu...ccess-request/

b) I think you should inform your building / contents insurance company, but only once you have all the facts.
If you don't it might have consequences.

c) Do any of you insurance policies have legal expenses cover?
It would be helpful if you need to take action against previous owners, other parties etc.

d) Yes previous owners may be responsible, in that they may have misrepresented the property, but I caveat that by saying
'they genuinely may not have known, but may still be responsible as they sold the property to you'.

Update when you get response to your SAR.

[EmJayIOW]

Still awaiting contact but had a private contractor comfirm that we are not polluting. We've gone back to them but still radio silence. Was meant to be contacted today by the SARs team but as with everything else nobody is engaging.

[echat11]

Still awaiting contact but had a private contractor comfirm that we are not polluting. We've gone back to them but still radio silence. Was meant to be contacted today by the SARs team but as with everything else nobody is engaging.

Amend and Email them the following, if they fail to comply within the correct time period -

https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/ge...happy-with-it/