Multiple Property Maintenance Responsibility
In England, the responsibility for maintaining the drainage system of a block of flats can vary depending on the specific arrangements outlined in the lease or ownership documentation. Typically, there are two common scenarios:
- Freehold Ownership: If the entire block of flats is owned by a single entity or individual (freeholder), then the freeholder is usually responsible for maintaining the drainage system and other common areas of the building.
- Leasehold Ownership: In many cases, flats in England are sold on a leasehold basis. This means that individual units are owned by leaseholders, and there is a freeholder or management company responsible for maintaining the common areas, which can include the drainage system.
In the case of a site such as a university campus or school, maintenance responsibility remains with the property or estate owner as far as the curtilage of the estate. At this point the local water authority is responsible for maintenance.