Sewer easement

[BillU]

What is the name of your state? Washington

Neighbor's house has an easement for the sewer line that runs through our backyard. If there is a problem that requires a trench to repair, what is the responsibility of our neighbor. The easement requires that we provide access. Would they be required to return the area to previous state? We've done landscaping that would be destroyed by digging up the sewer line.

 

[FarmerJ]

Just so you know , with sewer repairs sometimes the pipe can be relined and doesn't have to be dug up. Have you checked with your city to learn what its ordinances have to say about sewer lines that cut thru another persons property and have to be repaired ? ( I ask since it is possible that your city may require failing /failed sewer lines to be relocated so they no longer cross thru another property owners land ) Do you know the history of why that sewer was run through your property ? 2 do you know if there is a public sewer line {and public water main} that can be accessed with out going through your lot ?

 

[BillU]

This is not an immediate problem. We're good friends with our neighbors and could doubtless work out any issues. If they were to move and there was a problem what are the responsibilities of the people with the easement? Their house was built roughly 100 years ago on a three lot site. This was divided into 3 lots by a developer about 30 years ago and our house was built. There is a reason why the sewer cannot be relocated to their own lot, that was explored when they recently had a problem that was fixed by relining a part of it. However they discovered that there is an unpermitted PVC pipe inserted (from a mother-in-law cottage on their property) that prevented relining all of it. Currently there is not a problem but if that needs to be dug up in the future it will destroy our landscaping.

 

[FarmerJ]

The only logical reason they cant run a sewer line from their own home directly to a city/ county owned sewer main would be that there is no public road that adjoins the land they now own or there is no public sewer at all in the city utility easement area . SO they cant just tear up your property and leave it a mess but if they have to dig up a area you could go in first and dig up your plantings and relocate them or keep them hydrated and re plant after its done , you didn't say if the easement is recorded and how well it is or isn't worded BUT going back to something I said earlier what does your city require when a sewer or water line that crosses another persons land and that line (s) are in failure , If your city required a new line then even if the neighbor had to have someone blast thru rock formations to make that new connection then that's the neighbors problem.