Homebuyer Drain Surveys In Leicester

A standard mortgage valuation or building survey doesn't look inside the drains. Cracked, root-damaged or collapsed pipes are hidden underground, and repairs to a private drain fall to the new owner. Older houses with clay pipes, homes near mature trees and properties that have been extended are the ones most worth checking.

In Leicester the public sewers belong to Severn Trent Water. Our report shows where the private drain ends, so you know which defects would be yours to fix and which the water company is responsible for. If the survey finds a problem, we can quote for the drain repair so you have a figure before you negotiate.

The ONS put Leicester's average house price at £227,000 in July 2026 (provisional), with first-time buyers paying £211,000 on average, terraced houses £206,000 and flats £141,000. Much of what's for sale is old. Valuation Office Agency figures show that 29,470 of the city's 145,410 homes were built before 1900 and 38,010 before 1919, about a quarter of the stock. Nearly half date from before 1940.

A lot of Leicester buyers are landlords. Census 2021 found that private renting in the city rose from 22.7% to 29.4% of households since 2011, the biggest increase in the East Midlands. If you're buying to let, the private drains become your responsibility from completion, and a defect found after a tenant moves in is harder to fix. The VOA also lists 41,770 flats and maisonettes in Leicester. In a block, the drains are usually shared, so ask who maintains them before you commit.

Our homebuyer drain survey puts a camera through every accessible run before you exchange. The report grades each defect and comes with stills and footage your solicitor or surveyor can use. The price is agreed when you book.