Who is responsible for a blocked drain usually depends on where the blockage is and whether the pipe serves only your property. In general, a drain inside your property boundary that serves only your home is your responsibility, while shared sewers and pipes serving more than one property are usually the responsibility of the sewerage company.
Working out where the blockage is can help you contact the right people. It can also avoid paying for work that may be someone else’s responsibility.
Drains Within Your Property
A drain is the pipe that takes waste from your home. If it serves only your property and is within your boundary, it is usually your responsibility as the owner. This includes blockages in the pipes inside the home and in the drain running under your garden or driveway.
If a single sink, bath or toilet is blocked, the problem is usually inside your property. Our blocked toilet page covers blockages that are limited to a toilet.
Shared Drains and Sewers
Where a pipe serves more than one property, such as a shared run behind a row of houses, it is usually treated as a sewer. Sewers are normally the responsibility of the sewerage company. The same generally applies to the section of drain outside your boundary, even if only your home uses it.
If neighbours are also having problems, or the blockage seems to be beyond your boundary, it is worth contacting your sewerage company first. This may not be the same company that supplies your water, and your bill should show who provides each service. They may be able to tell you who is responsible for that section.
If You Rent or Live in a Flat
If you rent your home, your landlord is usually responsible for dealing with drain problems, although your tenancy agreement may say more. Report the problem promptly, ideally in writing.
If you own a house on a private or newer estate, your deeds or management arrangements may also say who looks after shared drainage.
In flats, drains that serve more than one flat may be the responsibility of the freeholder or management company, depending on the lease.
What to Do While You Find Out
Stop using the fixtures that are affected, especially if wastewater is backing up. Avoid direct contact with wastewater, keep children and pets away, and wash your hands after any contact. Do not lift heavy covers, enter a drain or chamber, or mix drain chemicals.
Taking photographs of the problem and noting which fixtures are affected can help whoever deals with it.
If the blockage is within your property, our page on blocked drains in Poole explains how drain blockages are assessed and cleared.
If you have a blocked drain and are not sure where the problem is, a plumber can look at what is happening and explain the next step.