A hospital consultant and his partner are suing the former owners of their £625,000 Suffolk home, claiming they concealed a history of sewage problems that has left them unable to use the property normally when it rains.
Radiologist Brett Ibbeson and Karen Man Yan Chan say they were told the detached house in Brockley, near Bury St Edmunds, had never flooded before they bought it in March 2025.
They claim they later learned that the property was affected by an overwhelmed sewage pumping station on neighbouring land. Anglian Water allegedly advised them to restrict their water use during wet weather, including not showering or flushing the toilet.
The couple say using water increased the risk of sewage escaping from manholes and backing up into the house and garden.
In a High Court claim, they accuse the previous owners, William and Suzanne Temple, of making “fraudulent false representations” about the property, either knowing the statements were untrue or being reckless as to whether they were accurate.
The claim alleges that the Temples had previously complained repeatedly to Anglian Water about the sewer and pumping station. The couple say they were given records of 16 complaints made by the former owners, who had lived at the property since 2014.
One report allegedly referred to “residual 3Ps (pee, poo and paper) in the front garden” after an overflowing sewer. Other records are said to show that the downstairs lavatory and upstairs shower did not work properly for periods during the wetter months, while Anglian Water attended the property numerous times.
The former owners were also allegedly warned that they could face action from environmental health and sought compensation. They are said to have requested emergency drainage of the pumping station on five occasions and continued to complain until the house was placed on the market.
The couple claim the Temples were asked about sewer problems during the sale process but said they had only occasionally experienced difficulties with the downstairs lavatory. They allegedly told the buyers that Anglian Water had responded quickly by carrying out repairs to the pumping station.
Dr Ibbeson and Ms Chan say they would not have bought the four-bedroom, three-bathroom property had they known about the full extent of the problems. They are seeking cancellation of the purchase contract and a refund of the price, as well as associated costs.
Their expenses have so far reached just over £54,000, they claim. These include a drainage engineer’s investigation and £2,112.86 in hotel and Airbnb bills after they had to leave the property.
They are also seeking future conveyancing costs, an £18,085.95 mortgage early redemption fee, further accommodation expenses and future borrowing and interest costs. Compensation is being claimed for distress, inconvenience and the loss of use and enjoyment of the house, based on its notional rental value.
The couple say they no longer want to live at the property and will sell it unless the court orders the contract to be rescinded.
After receiving a letter of claim in February, the Temples admitted that “there was a small number of occasions where there was a small surcharge of sewage in the garden”, but have continued to deny liability.
The claim was issued last month and no defence has yet been lodged. Dr Ibbeson and the Temples were contacted for comment.
