Today my neighbour called to ask if I had any drain rods to unblock his drain. We didn't have any, but I went to help. His next door neighbour also had blocked drains, so we got as many rods together to try and clear the blockage.
I didn't think my drains were linked to theirs, but was shocked to find mine were blocked as well. Not only that, everyone's fed onto my property:eek:. Lifting the last manhole cover on my drive showed that the blockage was between my house and the sewer, now I was beginning to see ££££ in my vision and panic because we couldn't clear it.
Anyways, I phoned the water company, who put me onto another company who said the would phone me back.... each warning me of call out charges etc...
They called me back within an hour and said they would be here within 4 hours to fix it and reminded me of the call out charge. So I reminded them of the law that says houses older than 1937 are not liable for their drains, so they said it would be unlikely that I would be charged.
I little relief, but but I didn't have much confidence in the law because you hear all those stories, and see rough traders etc.
But they came, fixed it in a couple of minutes and of course, no charge.
My confidence restored that there are utility companies do a great service that is prompt and efficient.
Now I just wish they would stop sending me letters to buy insurance to insure the drains:confused:.
Myarka.
Now I just wish they would stop sending me letters to buy insurance to insure the drains.
I loved your story - but this little sentence is the opposite to what I need. I just found out today that my flat which I rent out to tenants has been UNINSURED since 28th March. Two full months.
So, by the grace of God nothing happened during that period or I dread to think how I would have paid for it, or how long I would have been paying it for. Hence, I'm the sort of person who needs to get letters/reminders from insurers!
Both of us had happy endings!
Ava x
Hence, I'm the sort of person who needs to get letters/reminders from insurers!
I totally agree about reminders, I've heard several similar stories recently. It happened to a friend of mine with his car insurance and he only found when he had an accident. Although the accident wasn't his fault, the other driver's insurance company is refusing to pay out and he's now been fined and got points on his licence. It's being investigated by the insurance onbudsman, but it's taken 2 years already.
Someone once said.....
There are 2 types of insurance, good and bad. Buy the good insurance and don't touch the bad.
Myarka.
This happened to me quite recently. Like yourself Myarka, my house is pre-1937 so didn't get charged for it. As someone had managed to flush one of those plastic washing balls, you use in the washing machine, down their loo, I would have been furious having to pay!
Hi Myarka - would really appreciate a link to wherever that info is from re pre 1937 - the link I have found seems to suggest that you still need insurance / to pay for part...
([url] http://www.woking.gov.uk/council/envhealthservice/housing/drain )[/url]
Thanks
Hi Myarka - would really appreciate a link to wherever that info is from re pre 1937 - the link I have found seems to suggest that you still need insurance / to pay for part...
([url] http://www.woking.gov.uk/council/envhealthservice/housing/drain )[/url]
Thanks
Hi Celia,
It's looks like you're with Thames water for drains the same as me, so here's the link from their website. I cant' remember where I actually read it in the first place... it's one of those things I 've known for years, but never invoked.
But my experience yesterday, with relief, worked.
Myarka.
Actually that's just what came up on a quick search as I am in Hampshire - and that is Southern - but was looking for a friend who has recently let a property.
Did you mean the link I gave was the same as the one you had used? as wasn't another in your post.
Ta!
Actually that's just what came up on a quick search as I am in Hampshire - and that is Southern - but was looking for a friend who has recently let a property.
Did you mean the link I gave was the same as the one you had used? as wasn't another in your post.
Ta!
Oops, I forgot to paste it in:
http://www.thameswater.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/corp/hs.xsl/8656.htm
Myarka.
Thank you - very helpful 🙂