Not necessarily.
You might assume that two houses sharing a driveway also share the drains beneath it. However, this is not always the case. The ownership of the driveway does not automatically determine who is responsible for the drainage system.
For example, each property may have its own private drain running beneath the shared driveway. Alternatively, the drains from both properties may connect to one pipe that carries wastewater away.
Therefore, you first need to establish which properties the affected drain serves. This will help determine who is responsible for dealing with the problem and arranging any necessary repairs.
Reach out to usA private drain carries wastewater away from one property. Usually, the homeowner is responsible for the section that serves only their home and sits within their property boundary.
For example, two houses may share a driveway but have separate drainage pipes. If your pipe becomes blocked within your boundary, you will usually need to arrange and pay for the necessary work.
However, sharing a driveway does not automatically mean sharing responsibility for the drains beneath it.
For rental properties, the landlord will commonly be responsible for the drainage. However, this can depend on the circumstances and the cause of the blockage.
Get in TouchA lateral drain carries wastewater from a private drain towards a sewer. It usually sits outside the property boundary.
In most cases, the relevant sewerage company maintains lateral drains connected to the public sewerage system.
However, shared driveways can make responsibility seem less clear. For example, a pipe may run underneath privately owned land without being the homeowner’s responsibility.
Therefore, the location of the pipe does not always determine who must repair it. Instead, you should consider the property boundary and how the drainage system connects to the wider sewer network.
Talk to our TeamA pipe carrying wastewater from more than one property may be a sewer rather than an individual private drain.
Most public sewers are the responsibility of the local sewerage company. They do not have to run beneath a public road. Public sewers can pass through gardens, driveways and other privately owned land.
This is particularly relevant to older properties where drainage networks may have developed in ways that are not immediately obvious from the surface.
For example, your drain might leave your house and join your neighbour’s drainage beneath the shared driveway. From there, one pipe could carry wastewater from both properties towards the public network.
Responsibility for the different sections of that system may therefore change along its route.
This is why determining responsibility from the position of a manhole cover or the location of an overflowing drain alone can be misleading.
Learn MoreWho pays will depend upon which part of the drainage system is blocked and who is responsible for that section.
If the blockage is within a private drain serving only your property, you will usually need to arrange the necessary drain clearance.
If the blockage is within a public sewer or lateral drain for which the sewerage company is responsible, you should contact the relevant company.
There are exceptions. Some properties may be connected to private or unadopted drainage systems, particularly on certain private developments. Responsibility can also be influenced by the particular drainage arrangements associated with the property.
If you are unsure, do not assume that you and your neighbour simply need to split the bill because the problem has appeared on a shared driveway.
First establish where the blockage is and which pipe is affected.
Contact usThere are several ways to investigate responsibility for a drain.
Your property deeds may contain useful information about boundaries, rights and drainage arrangements. Your sewerage company may also hold records showing public sewers in the area.
However, plans and documents do not necessarily tell you precisely where a current blockage, crack or collapse is located.
That is where investigating the physical drainage system becomes important.
If you are experiencing repeated blockages or suspect that a pipe beneath a shared driveway has been damaged, a professional drainage investigation can establish what is actually happening underground.
Reach out to us TodayA CCTV drain survey can provide valuable evidence when the cause or location of a drainage problem is unclear.
During a survey, specialist camera equipment is introduced into the drainage system so that the condition of the pipework can be inspected from within.
Pro Drainage Group provides CCTV drain surveys for residential and commercial drainage systems across the UK. Its engineers use camera equipment to identify blockages and damage and can provide footage and reporting where required.
A CCTV drain survey may help identify:
A blocked drain can cause disagreements when it affects several homes. Similarly, repairs can create concerns if contractors need access to a shared driveway.
Before discussing who should pay, establish where the problem is. First, find the affected pipe and determine which properties it serves. Then, check whether it is a private drain or part of the public sewerage network.
You can also review your property deeds and contact your sewerage company. Additionally, check your buildings insurance if the problem involves private drainage.
Finally, a professional drainage inspection can identify the problem and its location. This information can help you decide who to contact and what action to take next.
Give us a CallA slow drain does not always mean there is a serious underground problem. However, you should investigate if the issue keeps returning after you clear it.
Common warning signs include:
Repeatedly clearing a blockage may only provide a temporary solution. Therefore, finding the underlying cause can help prevent the problem from returning.
Pro Drainage Group provides blocked drain services, CCTV drain surveys and drain repairs across the UK. The team operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with engineers covering much of the country.
Speak with the ExpertsOnce you identify the affected section, the condition of the pipe will determine the best repair.
Some problems can be cleared with methods such as high pressure water jetting. However, damaged pipework may need a more substantial repair.
Pro Drainage Group provides drain repairs, CCTV surveys and drain clearance. Therefore, the team can inspect the system first and identify the cause before recommending the most suitable solution.
Accurate diagnosis matters, especially beneath a shared driveway. Unnecessary excavation could disrupt several households and create further issues around access and reinstatement.
Talk to usNo.
Property boundaries can help determine responsibility for private drains. However, they are not the only factor you need to consider.
For example, a public sewer can run beneath private property. Similarly, a lateral drain may extend beyond your property boundary before connecting to a sewer.
Therefore, you cannot assume that you are responsible for every drain beneath your land.
If responsibility remains unclear, contact your sewerage company. You can also check your property documents for further information about the drainage arrangements.
Find out MoreIf a drain around a shared driveway keeps blocking or overflowing, you should first find the cause of the problem.
Pro Drainage Group provides drainage services across the UK. These include blocked drain clearance, CCTV drain surveys and drain repairs. The family run company operates 24 hours a day throughout the year, with engineers based across the country.
A professional inspection can identify the problem and locate the affected section of pipe. As a result, you can understand what work may be necessary before arranging repairs.
If you have a problem with a drain on a shared driveway, contact Pro Drainage Group to discuss the issue and request a quotation.
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