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[Sir Tigger KC]

I recently asked for some advice about damp meters as a tenant has been complaining about damp.    I was extremely sceptical about this as I have lived in the house myself and have never known any problems with damp there! 

However, I eventually gained access and sure enough there is a massive wet patch, covered in black mould in the back bedroom on the outside facing wall.    I suspect that the guttering has become blocked and has overflowed for months, the water has poured down the wall and penetrated; causing the damp inside.    The annoying thing is that my tenant is in the trades so he must have been aware and had they told me about it months ago it would have been an easy fix and wouldn't have been a problem!! 

Here's my need for some advice though!    The house is an end terrace at the bottom of a slope and I've noticed that the 3 houses further up do not have downpipes on their guttering, so I get 4 roofs worth of water going down my downpipe!!    So with the amount of rain that we have had this summer, it's no surprise that it's overflowed....   

First off I'm going to approach the neighbours and ask them nicely to fit downpipes to their properties  But I've no confidence that they'll take any notice!!    Can I force them in some way?  Legally via the courts or would the council help?  Obviously I'd like to sort it out amicably with them, but I'd like to know what my options are!! 

Many Thanks in advance for any advice!! 

[Weds]

Just block up the other end of the guttering so the other houses water doesn't come down your guttering..

[alfie]

Got the same problem,no downpipes on 4 neighbours houses,it all drains away down my downpipe.But theres sod all that I can do about it,namely because written into my deeds are,must allow free access for my neighbours rainwater to drain away.(or words to that effect).
Check your deeds to see if yours is the same,but saying that the rear gutters mostly have their own downpipes.
                                          Alfie.

[taitinson]

Just block up the other end of the guttering so the other houses water doesn't come down your guttering..

X2

[martin42]

it was common to do this years ago,so you can not force other householders to install downpipe without correct drainage,i would clear the guttering 1st but there could be something else like a broken roof tile/slate,damaged roofing felt or lead flashing thats come lose that could be letting water in.

[tigers_gonads]

If you don't get any joy by being nice, get the ladder out and raise your guttering by about 6 inchs so any water flows back down to there end and gives them a nice little problem

[Sir Tigger KC]

I'll try the nice approach before taking any direct action, but thanks for the suggestions!!   

I've had a word with the Building Control department at the council, who advised that there is no enforcement action that they can take, as it's an existing situation. So no joy there! 

 

[Michael2.6]

good luck!hope you get sorted, and hope they no relation to my neighbour, if you have seen my problems you will understand!