Home-buyer CCTV Surveys?
Following the advice of their Home-buyer surveyor, my purchasers had a Home-buyer CCTV Pipe Survey done on the house I’m selling. The report has come back with the following recommendations:
Lateral 3 / Inspection 1: This lateral, which leads downstream to the main line, has a displaced joint at the material change from PVC to clay. Additionally, a fracture has been observed at the junction with the main line.
Although the main line is public and falls under the responsibility of the local water authority, the defect is located on the private side of the connection. Therefore, the customer would be liable for
any necessary repairs or replacement.
A 100mm Localine (Patchbox) will be installed to seal and strengthen the displaced joint at 0.47m. Due to a clearly visible fracture, an isolated excavation will be required to remove the existing junction and install a new 150mm junction.
It comes with video evidence which I can view – but it’s beyond my experience to ‘see’ what they’re trying to demonstrate. The company is NADC compliant and Safe Contractor approved, so I have no reason to doubt their findings as such. The explanation of the remedial works is given – albeit a bit ‘dense’ for me – but I get the idea. Their quote is £1283 to include a new video of the repaired pipes.
This is all completely new stuff to me. Before I give the go-ahead for the works to be done (which is obviously what the purchaser is expecting), is there anything else I should be asking?
Thanks in advance for any input.
LordofTheManor
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1446 - Articles: 1
9:40 AM, 7th August 2025, About 9 months ago
Check your buildings insurance as may be covered for the works.
Member Since June 2023 - Comments: 8
9:56 AM, 7th August 2025, About 9 months ago
Lateral drains are the pipes that run from your property boundary to the public sewer. Water companies are responsible for these, regardless of whether they are on your property or not.
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 15
10:28 AM, 7th August 2025, About 9 months ago
If it does happen to fall under your responsibility then just discount the asking price by the repair cost. Let the buyer get the works done once purchased or get it done after the exchange.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 754
12:29 PM, 7th August 2025, About 9 months ago
Dealing with the designated repairs is one cost, but the remedial works after the drains have been dug up is another, hence I agree just deduct the quote from the purchase price (or find another purchaser).
The survey was done for the current purchaser and as far as I know you don’t have to declare it to an alternative purchaser (but happy to be advised otherwise if I’m wrong on that).
Member Since February 2016 - Comments: 194 - Articles: 1
3:20 PM, 9th August 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Niwdog at 07/08/2025 – 09:56
Thank you, Niwdog!
I looked it up…..
The Regulations came into affect on 1 October 2011 and specified that:
• any private sewers and lateral drains connected to the public sewerage system as of 1 July 2011 would
transfer to the local regulated water and sewerage company for that area
• any private sewers and lateral drains constructed and connected after 1 July 2011 would only be
adopted in accordance with a Section 104 sewer adoption agreement.