The Commercial CON29DW – everything you need to know

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Drainage and Water Searches Network (DWSN) has developed a series of webinars delving into the questions contained within a CON29DW search.

Our second webinar, held on 27th June 2024, CON29DW Commercial: Everything you need to know, explored the complexities of the CON29DW Commercial.

The recording from the webinar is now available on the DWSN YouTube Channel, which you can also access here.

The session gives you insights into the key questions, unique to the CON29DW Commercial, as well as how to identify if the address is commercial and what information is needed to ensure a speedy return.

Read on for a summary of the key points from the webinar – and you can access the full details here. If that whets your appetite – do join us on Thursday 19 September at 10 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. for our next webinar on Billing and Connections in the Con29DW Residential – register here.

Additional questions

The CON29DW Commercial answers the same questions as the CON29DW Residential but provides some additional questions which can be helpful if your client is looking to develop the land/site.

    • Trade Effluent – a trade effluent consent is attached to the business and not the premise. If a consent is in place for the current occupier at the property this may by a useful indicator for your client if they need to apply for a consent.
    • Manhole data – this is useful information if you’re planning on developing land or an existing site. It can help understand the route and nature of existing drainage arrangements.
    • Wayleave and an Easements – Ahead of any purchase it is helpful to know if any pipes running through the land have an easement and/or wayleave associated with it.
Speedy returns

Providing as much information upfront on the commercial search can avoid delays returning the search.

    • The definition of a ‘Commercial property’ means land, or buildings used or proposed to be used for commercial activities and includes offices, retail units, working farms, warehousing, development sites and commercial buildings used or intended to be used as dwellings. If there is residential usage in a commercial property such as an Airbnb or a guest house and it is registered for commercial billing, then the correct search is a CON29DW Commercial
    • The correct billing address ensures the correct connection details are provided for the property. A current occupier or company name can help locate an address and ensure the right building/ account is searched.
    • Additional connections – If your client is interested in specific connections it is always worth specifying up front the connection details wanted to avoid any delays.
    • Land@ in the address may include buildings within the boundary submitted. Check with your CON29DW provider as to how they treat a Land@ search.
Common queries
    • The most common query on commercial searches relates to billing and connections – knowing the billing address can be key to finding the correct connection address.
    • Another common query is getting a copy of the easement or wayleave. Normally directed to the legal department for a copy. There may be a charge for this service if the information is available.
Water Retail competition
    • Ofwat opened the business retail market in 2017 for water and wastewater services. There are around 1.2 million businesses in England that are eligible to choose their retailer. There are around 20 different retailers for business customers to choose from. The retailer is responsible for all elements of billing and customer service.
    • The main impact on CON29DW Commercial is on Q4.2 Who bills the property for sewerage services? and Q4.3 Who bills the property for water services? And the CON29DW Commercial provides informatives about how a prospective purchaser can identify a water and/or sewerage services retailer and secure the best deal for their business.
    • There are some differences in the level of support in relation to CON29DW Commercial searches compared to a CON29DW Residential search. The water and/or sewerage retailer is responsible for taking ownership of certain issues, particularly relating to billing/tariff charges, including change of use of a property
Support available:
    • If you have any detailed queries about a particular water or drainage area or issue – do contact your local provider, they have specialist expert teams who will be able to help you.
    • For more information on CON29DW searches and DWSN, head here.

View the webinar video here. You can also find more videos on the DWSN YouTube Channel, these are great for induction packs and team updates.

 

Kindly shared by The Drainage and Water Searches Network (DWSN)