Conveyancing Explained

July 11, 2008

A Water & Drainage Report (CON29DW) is provided by the various local water companies in England and Wales. The CON29DW report reveals details of water and sewerage assets under and around properties allowing solicitors to determine if properties are properly serviced and to identify any liabilities that the owners may incur.

The search will cover the following issues;-

1. Public sewer maps
2. Foul drainage and surface water
3. Public adoption of sewers and lateral drains. This will confirm whether or not the surface and/or foul water drains run into a public or private sewer. It is often the case that the connection between the property and the publicly maintained sewer does not belong to the Local Authority and that it is privately owned/shared with the owners/users of that private connection accordingly.
4. Public sewers within the boundary of the property
5. Public sewers near to the property
6. Building over a public sewer, disposal main or drain
7. Map of the waterworks i.e. water pipes, waste pipes and drains
8. Adoption of water mains and service pipes
9. Sewerage and water undertakers
10. Connection to mains water supply i.e. public or private
11. Confirmation of how the property is billed for water and wastewater charges (water meter or rateable value)

This search should always be undertaken in every conveyancing transaction, so make sure that your quotation/estimate includes the cost of it.