Shared Drains in Units and Townhouses
In a Queensland body corporate, drain pipes are generally common property, so the body corporate looks after them. A pipe is only the lot owner's if it serves just that lot, sits inside that lot's boundaries, and isn't inside a boundary structure. All three must be true.
The three tests
Under Queensland body corporate rules, a pipe is generally common property unless all three of these are true (Queensland Government):
- It serves only one lot.
- It sits inside that lot's boundaries.
- It is not inside a boundary structure, like a shared wall.
Where the camera helps
It's hard to apply those tests without knowing where a pipe actually runs. Our footage and locating show which lots a line serves and where the fault sits, so owners and the committee can work from the same picture.
Our quote itemises inspection, clearing and repair, which makes it simpler to see what the body corporate is being asked to approve.
Fast quote
Get a fast quote
Send us a few details and we'll be in touch within 30 minutes.
How it works. Easy as.
Fill out the quick form
A name, a number and what the drain is doing. Photos help if you have them.
We'll be in touch within 30 minutes
We ask a few questions and book a time that suits you.
We come out, clear what we can and run a camera through the pipe
If it is blocked, we get it flowing first. Then the camera goes in to find the cause.
We show you the footage and explain what is wrong
You watch it with us. We point out the crack, the roots or the sag, and roughly where it sits in the yard.
Itemised fixed quote, inspection and repair costs shown separately
Every line on its own, so you can see what the inspection cost and what the fix would cost.
Say yes, flexible payment options if cash flow's tight
No pressure to decide on the spot. If you go ahead, we can talk through ways to spread the cost.
Fixed and checked on camera again, so you can see it's done
Once the work is finished, the camera goes back in and you see the result for yourself.
Questions people ask us
Who pays for shared drains in a unit block?
In Queensland body corporate schemes, pipes are generally common property unless they serve only one lot, sit inside that lot's boundaries, and are not inside a boundary structure. All three must be true (Queensland Government). If any one isn't, the pipe is generally the body corporate's to fix.
Should I call the body corporate or a plumber first?
If sewage is overflowing, get help straight away. Otherwise, let your body corporate manager know, and if a camera inspection is arranged, the footage will show which pipe has the fault.
Can I see the camera footage?
Yes. That's the whole point of how we work. You watch the footage with us on the day, we point out what we're seeing, and we explain where the problem is before we talk about any repair.
Who fixes the sewer, me or Urban Utilities?
The property owner is responsible for private pipes up to the sewer connection point. Urban Utilities is responsible for its sewer property connection and mains. The connection point is not necessarily the property boundary (Urban Utilities). If a plumber finds the fault is on Urban Utilities' side, homeowners can submit reasonable costs for consideration, but that is not automatic.
Relining or replacing: which is better?
Neither is better every time. Relining puts a new pipe inside the old one without a trench, but the pipe has to be suitable, which only a camera inspection confirms. Digging and replacing may be the right call when a pipe can't be lined. We'll tell you honestly which fits your pipe, and our plain-words guide explains each option.
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