Simply close a shared sewer connection?

Questioner

We live in my grandfather's house who long ago (at least 30 years) got a sewer connection together with his son. The son lived in the farm and grandfather lived in a new house next door. The municipal connection went to the farm and grandfather's connection came halfway in. I don't believe there was an easement established then. Now the owner of the farm wants to disconnect the sewer pipe on his land. Is he allowed to do that? He demands that we have to get our own municipal connection.

Lawyer

It is probably best to consult a legal advisor or attorney to review your specific situation, but I can give you some general information. Sewer disconnections and the rights and responsibilities of adjoining homeowners can be complex and are usually governed by the property law and local regulations. Whether the farm owner can simply disconnect the sewer connection will depend on the specific circumstances and details of the original arrangement. Generally speaking, if there is no recorded easement or other legal agreement, the farm owner may have the right to make changes to his property, including possibly disconnecting the sewer connection. But this is a very complex issue and not certain. However, if there was a verbal agreement between your grandfather and his son, this may also be legally relevant. In that case, you may be entitled to a 'raised expectation'. However, it is difficult to prove that something like that was agreed verbally. It may also be the case that a kind of easement has arisen because the situation has existed for so long; this is also called an 'acquired right'. It may be in your best interest to consult a legal advisor or attorney to determine the best next steps, as these types of matters often require specific and detailed legal knowledge. ---------------- Please note! This orientation advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer ---------------- Call us for further assistance Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. We may be able to help you free of charge or refer you to a reliable lawyer or legal expert. Call us during office hours on 040 2350423.