Condition reports on adjacent properties

We are following with interest the correspondence on safeguards for third-party properties. The editorial of August 10 expressed exactly what neighbours of developing sites feel.

In his letter of August 12 the communications officer for the ministry mentioned the condition report. This report will describe the condition of all adjacent properties prior to the commencement of works on site. Will this report include inspection of drainage pipes by the CCTV camera at the expense of the developer before and after completion of work?

We are speaking from experience. Our house was inspected and photos taken by our architect before commencement of work - at our expense.

On our insistence, the architect in charge of the development inspected our house. Not one of them mentioned the drainage pipes.

From the excavations and through the CCTV camera it resulted that drain pipes were dislocated in seven places and part broken - water was seeping into the front garden of the neighbouring shop.

The developer did not want to assume responsibility, saying it might have been damaged before.

We had to bear the cost of more than €2,000 in repairs and the inconvenience of living away from home for three weeks.

Inspection of drainage pipes should be included in the condition report.