Blocked shared drain in a tenement: who fixes it?
Last reviewed 2 October 2026 by the Edinburgh Plumbing Quotes team
The short answer
If only your sink or toilet is slow, the blockage is probably in your own pipework, and it is yours to fix. If several flats are affected, or the ground-floor flat or back green drain is overflowing, the shared soil stack or drain is probably blocked. That is normally a common repair shared by the owners, usually arranged through the factor. If the public sewer is blocked, it is Scottish Water’s job: call them on 0800 0778 778.
Step by step
- Check whether other flats in the stair have the same problem.
- Look at the drain covers in the back green or at the foot of the stair for overflowing water.
- Tell the factor if there is one. They may already have a drainage contractor.
- Don’t use drain chemicals in a shared stack. They can harm others and the pipes.
- Request quotes, saying it is a shared drain, so the right equipment is brought.
Common repairs
Under the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 and most title deeds, shared parts like the soil stack and the drain serving the building are maintained jointly. Owners normally share the cost, and an urgent repair can usually go ahead to prevent further damage.
Public sewer or private drain
Pipes beyond your property boundary that serve more than one building are often public sewers maintained by Scottish Water. They can tell you whether a blockage is theirs.
When to get help
If sewage is coming up inside, keep children and pets away and request urgent quotes or contact Scottish Water.
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General guidance only. If anyone is in danger, or you smell gas, call the emergency services first.