Rainwater from a neighbour’s property

A neighbour’s rainwater only shows itself when it rains. A downpipe that empties onto your paving, a shed gutter with no outlet, or an extension or new patio that now sends the water your way: after every shower a puddle sits against your shed or wall. On your neighbours’ side it is dry, so they often don’t see it.

Describe what you see on your side and where the water seems to come from, without claiming you know the cause for certain. Ask to look together while it rains and suggest something practical, such as rerouting the downpipe, a water butt with an overflow or a gutter with a drain.

The example messages and the incident diary help you talk this through calmly and keep track of what you agree. Only use facts you know, and offer to help with the work or the cost if a fix also improves something on your side.

What do the rules say?

In England and Wales new building work such as an extension must have adequate rainwater drainage under the Building Regulations (Part H), normally to a soakaway, watercourse or sewer; your council’s building control team can check this. Water that runs naturally off higher ground generally has to be accepted, but a neighbour who collects or channels water onto your property through a downpipe, gutter or paving may be causing a private nuisance. Older deeds sometimes contain a right to drain roof water onto the neighbouring plot. Scotland has its own rules.

How to approach it

1. During a few showers, take dated photos or a short video from your own property and note where the water comes from and runs to.

2. Send a friendly message with one specific suggestion, such as rerouting the downpipe or looking at it together during the next shower.

3. Agree who does what, when and who pays, and check together during the next heavy shower whether it works.

4. No change? A community mediation service can help, or the landlord if your neighbours rent.

Tips for your message

Don’t accuse; describe what you see. A sentence like ‘During yesterday’s rain the water from your downpipe ran as far as our shed; shall we look together during the next shower?’ usually works better than ‘Your downpipe is flooding my garden’. Never tamper with your neighbours’ gutter or downpipe yourself.

This is general information, not legal advice.