2 Houses, 2 Owners.....1 Sewer line....NOT good....

[Brandon Hicks]

Ok guys I purchased a house for buy and hold rental last year that was a failed flip for another investor. The previous owner paid for half the replacement of the shared sewer line which is on the neighbors property. After closing and putting tenants in the property the neighbor contacted me stating they had sewage backing into their basement and the timing of it with moving tenants into a house that was previously made me question if it was my issue. So I paid my plumber to snake it and it was all clear. I then made the agreement with the neighbor to snake his line. If it turned out to be my issue I'd pay, if was his he'd pay. It turned out to be tree roots on his side so he paid. Now a year and half later they've got sewage in the basement again and are blaming me. They had a plumber out tonight but I haven't heard the findings yet. He's wanting me to install my own sewer line to the street and is threatening to cap it off on my side. I'll be bringing my attorney up to speed tomorrow but does anyone have experience in something like this?

[Roy N.]

@Brandon Hicks 

Who has the lateral connection to the city/municipal sewer main at the street?  It sounds like it is neighbour and you are tacked on the back of their run.  In this instance, there must be some sort of agreement between the two properties (like a right-of-way for a shared driveway) which should govern the relationship.   Regardless, I would start planning to migrate to my own line.

However, if you are first from the street and the neighbour is connected off of your lateral, then s/he should plan on moving to a new line.