It may not be a surprise to some, but to a couple of people with no house building experience, budgeting for stormwater hydraulics not only a monetary but from a time perspective is essential.
If the slope of your land means that stormwater naturally falls towards any boundary other than the road, Eden Brae insist that you engage your neighbour to discuss the prospect of a stormwater easement.
We were told that most landowners politely decline any request for an easement from their neighbour. This is fine. Eden Brae’s stormwater hydraulics engineer is used to designer a suitable system around this.
We lucked out and our block slopes towards a neighbouring block that is owned by a developer. Turns out he’s amenable to an easement as (i) his block is currently vacant so there will be little disruption to him and (ii) he understands that he will be entitled to compensation as determined by an independent valuer or otherwise agreed between us. I cannot complain about my neighbour. He’s been a gentlemen throughout our dealings.
Upon informing Eden Brae of May neighbour’s receptive attitude towards an easement, their negativity began.
That’s easier said that done.
Our experience is that it can take many months to agree and register an easement.
It could introduce delays.
What I would have preferred was constructive advice like: you’ll need a survey done of your neighbours block. If the stormwater falls in that direction, then you’ll need to draw a plan for council that is dependent on the topography of the land.
Sounds like common sense right? Perhaps it should have occurred to me without them having to say it, but like I said, we’re new to this…
In any case, about a month and a half after informing Eden Brae about the easement. They’ve only just now told us to obtain a survey of my neighbour’s block, while in the same email reminding us of the potential delays due to the easement and how if we do not start construction by June, then they are entitled to charge us a penalty.
Nice.
Eden Brae Waldorf 50 