Drainage

The small rear courtyard of my townhouse faces northwards toward higher ground. The courtyard is of course slightly below my floor level so that it will never flood my loungeroom.

A few years ago, my eastern neighbour decided to “style” his small rear courtyard. The stylist decided to raise the ground in his courtyard to his floor level which is the same as mine.

More recently, the OC decided to tart-up a path which runs along the west side of my townhouse and courtyard. They raised the path which is now well above my courtyard level and also slightly above my floor level.

These changes have not only made my courtyard look sunken but have also destroyed its natural drainage. There is a risk of rising damp along the wall of my loungeroom. Worse, there is a risk that a roof or gutter failure during heavy rain might flood my courtyard and overflow into my loungeroom.

What is my remedy for this? Can I ask NCAT to order the OC to lower the footpath? What about my styled neighbour?