Are they actually connected to your house or to the water pipe outside?these apartments have water pipes that are connected to my house and are tapping into the water supply.
even simpler solution just put in a simple tap valve or gate valve onto the connection out of your property, if the pressure is dropping in your property just close the valve more to reduce water out, like turning a tap for slow water and opening it for fast water flow, its as simple as that. What would have happened anyway if water charges came in that situation, the previous owner would have shut off the outward supply from the property completely2) Find a decent plumber to survey the problem and see if there is a practical solution e.g. increase your pipe diameter to get more pressure and decrease their pipe diameter so you get the best pressure.
So a pipe runs from the mains to your attic, back to ground level again (?), and then to the apartments, right?Are they actually connected to your house or to the water pipe outside?
There is a connection through my attic, they are connected to my house.
So a pipe runs from the mains to your attic, back to ground level again (?), and then to the apartments, right?
What did your surveyor say about this when you bought the house?
I don't understand what's stopping you from disconnecting/disabling the supply from your attic to the external apartments if you so choose? It's your attic.
even simpler solution just put in a simple tap valve or gate valve onto the connection out of your property, if the pressure is dropping in your property just close the valve more to reduce water out, like turning a tap for slow water and opening it for fast water flow, its as simple as that. What would have happened anyway if water charges came in that situation, the previous owner would have shut off the outward supply from the property completely
They are connected to a mains supply. Its just via the OP's house.Landlords responsibility to ensure his properties are correctly connected to a water supply.
Get plumber to disconnect any unnecessary pipe work. Not your problem.
How long have the apartments been there?
Probably 20-30 years. It looks like the land was previously under the same ownership, and was then split.
It's not so relevant I know but this looks like something a surveyor should have spotted especially in light of the below.It's a bit hard to explain the layout here, it's an unusual structure. The surveyor noted a pipe at the time but didn't think it was active as it looked like an odd relic.
How close are the apartments to your property? Were the house and apartments part of the same complex (shared access, no boundary wall, etc). Is there a boundary wall now?Probably 20-30 years. It looks like the land was previously under the same ownership, and was then split.
It's only illegal if it was installed without the permission of the property owner at the time. I think it's highly unlikely that was the case. Your guess at when the apartments were build suggests you were not the owner at the time and so without any evidence of trespass, at this point you can only assume that permission was granted. The former owner should have ensured the arrangement was formalised, their failure to do so is now your problem.It's bizarre that someone can have an illegal connection, but there is no mechanism for enforcement beyond me splashing out on solicitor fees.
I live in a house that has some shoddy rental apartments behind it
I should note that the building is attached to the back of mine,
Indeed they are correct. This kind of set-up is not uncommon in Ireland given the fact that water has traditionally never been metered and it's often simpler to tap into an existing connection than make a new connection to the public main.But Irish Water say this is not their responsibility as their connection to my house is fine.
Don't be annoying TDs with this stuff, they have enough to do. This is a civil matter between you and the apartment owner and you need good-quality legal and technical advice.A DCC staff member also advised that I should speak to a local TD, so I might do that too.
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