Who Pays for Sewer Problems? Get Free Advice!

Questioner

Last weekend our toilet stopped draining properly (house number 24). The neighbor (house number 22) suddenly came to the door in a panic because our waste water came from a well, causing the garden to flood. Because I was the first to be connected to the sewer, I also asked other neighbors about the functioning of the sewer. They had no complaints. Unfortunately, number 20 was not at home. This neighbor could not be reached by telephone (of course I tried). Given the seriousness - the neighbours' garden was flooded - I called a weekend sewer service. After camera inspection it turned out that the blockage was at number 20. We went into her garden together. Fortunately, she came home at that moment. She told me that she had also used a drain cleaning service last week. Tree roots were removed from her sewer. The sewer service also carried out an inspection at number 20. A clump of roots was pulled out of the sewer (60 cm long and a diameter of 12 cm). This solved the acute problem. In order to obtain a more structural solution, part of the sewer (where the roots have grown in) must be replaced at a later date (completely on the ground of number 20). Afterwards I -as the initial applicant- received the bill, €250. The question now is who should pay the bill? You could say that the problem was with number 20 and that is why she should pay. You could also say that the three of us use the same sewer and therefore have to share the costs. If you follow this last line of reasoning, you could also say that the follow-up work should be carried out by the three of us... Can you advise me? Yours sincerely,

Lawyer

In the case of sewer work, the costs are in principle borne by the owner of the sewer. If you wish, you can contact us without any obligation.

Lawyer

Who is liable for the damage depends on whether there is a possible easement. What agreements have been made regarding this? Is a contribution paid for maintenance etc.? If nothing has been agreed, the owner of no. 20 is liable for the damage. Incidentally, he can recover from the unblocking company that probably did not do a good job. For more information or help, you can contact me directly without obligation.