High water bill from leak. Am I liable?

Found 25th Jan 2016

After some advise if possible. To cut a long story short...

On 7th January we received our quarterly water bill. It's usually around £30 however this time it was £300. It said on the letter that the high usage indicates a leak. This bill is dated 10th December, nearly a month ago! I can't see a leak anywhere and everything seems normal.

I phone up and the lady goes through all the jargon and tells me not to worry as because I am renting, I will not be liable for the bill and to just get my landlord to get a plumber out to fix the problem. She said that she can see the leak has been on going from August. Landlord sent someone out and turns out it was something to do with the toilet however the cistern is behind a wall so we wouldn't hear it.

I phone up yorkshire water to tell them its all sorted and they tell me to take a 2 week meter reading to work out my average.

I just phoned up with my meter readings and she says that we are still liable to pay that bill. Now my arguement is, should I be liable for something they was aware of for 5 months? And even then they made a formal letter about the leak yet waited nearly a month for the letter to be sent. Now the bill will be even higher than £300 as it doesnt include from 10th December to 7th Jan. I'm currently waiting for some other team to get back to me.

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44 Comments

25th Jan 2016

Unfortunately its between you & your landlord to pay the bill.

Did you ask your landlord to pay?

25th Jan 2016

While I can sympathise, abd have never worked for a water company I have dealt with a water leak - and your gripe should be with the landlord. when all said and done the leak was within the property and not the fault of the water board if I have read your complaint properly. Apologies if I haven't

25th Jan 2016

You pay £30 per quarter for water??? How do you manage that?

25th Jan 2016

Oh by the way you should have seen signs of a leak because there was either:

1: A constant flow or water into the toilet pan

or

2: A constant flow of water coming from the overflow pipe causing a puddle around the outside of your property

25th Jan 2016

as occupant you are liable for the water bill. you could ask your landlord to share half the cost but he could say that it was your responsibility to report the leak. you could go round in circles arguing this point as to whether you should have noticed the leak.

water company not responsible if the leak is internal.

25th Jan 2016

YouDontWantToKnow
Oh by the way you should have seen signs of a leak because there was … Oh by the way you should have seen signs of a leak because there was either:1: A constant flow or water into the toilet panor2: A constant flow of water coming from the overflow pipe causing a puddle around the outside of your property

exactly this .... 10 times your normal water consumption and you did not notice water flowing into the toilet pan or a damn big puddle outside somewhere ....

EliTom

25th Jan 2016

itsdavidjones1984
You pay £30 per quarter for water??? How do you manage that?

I live in a complex that has a swimming pool and communal showers so the only water is toilet, washing machine and tap.

would I not have a case if the water company knew about it from august and said nothing to me until January where even that bill is dated a month ago? surely that's just them fleecing cash out of the customer..

25th Jan 2016

elitom
exactly this .... 10 times your normal water consumption and you did not … exactly this .... 10 times your normal water consumption and you did not notice water flowing into the toilet pan or a damn big puddle outside somewhere ....EliTom

It honestly wasn't noticable unless you really looked for it.

25th Jan 2016

I don't know where your water meter is fitted but my neighbours are in the street. If the leak is underground you may not notice it initially. Would suspect that anybody would notice an overflowing tank.
This is one reason I'm not on a meter. Judging by my neighbours bills you pay a lot less than me but when events like this occur that's where you pay.

25th Jan 2016

If the leak is internal they don't have to write off the bill. Will depend o the water company. If it was external you could have gone for leakage allowance but they are only for external. See what they say but they don't have to write it off have a look on their regulatory website ofwat

25th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
It honestly wasn't noticeable unless you really looked for it.

I been to plenty of houses and the problem is that new toilets overflow into the toilet bowl. A lot of the time it really is unnoticeable. And if its running for 3 months constantly you will only notice it when you receive your bill. I would suggest you be persistent with the water company and they may write it off.

25th Jan 2016

Your landlord is responsible.

citizensadvice.org.uk/con…ks/

25th Jan 2016

xfaxfa
Your landlord is responsible. … Your landlord is responsible. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/saving-water/water-leaks/

that is not what it says

25th Jan 2016

xfaxfa
Your landlord is responsible. … Your landlord is responsible. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/saving-water/water-leaks/

this pages says the following

What if you rent your home or your supply pipe serves several properties?

If you rent your home, your landlord is responsible for maintaining the supply pipe.

OP says the problem was with a leaking toilet cistern - that has nothing to do with the supply pipe

EliTom

25th Jan 2016

The landlord has a responsibility to keep the property and tts major fittings in good order and carry out repairs. In my view, it is reasonable to expect a degree of regular inspections and routine maintenance if only to prevent major issues.
I am not surprised at all by not noticing any leakage - it can take several months for leaks to be suspected. Anyone without a meter could take even longer to suspect a leak.
It is true your water supplier needs to be paid for the water and it is the consumer who must pay that. You may be able to negotiate with your landlord to pay some or all of the excess. You may be able to negotiate with your water supplier to pay in instalments. Your tenancy agreement may have fuller details on all of this.
It occurs to me that there maybe some buildings insurance in force that may help.
Good Luck.

26th Jan 2016

Yorkshire water say they can give a leakage allowance and reduce your bill.
yorkshirewater.com/leaks

26th Jan 2016

cheers for the replies. Will see what happens when they call back.

26th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
I live in a complex that has a swimming pool and communal showers so the … I live in a complex that has a swimming pool and communal showers so the only water is toilet, washing machine and tap. would I not have a case if the water company knew about it from august and said nothing to me until January where even that bill is dated a month ago? surely that's just them fleecing cash out of the customer..

the water company didn't know about the leak since august
they looked back and saw you had higher usage and so used a bit of logic to deduce thats when the leak had started
there are no panels with flashing red lights and alarms linked up to your house that the negligently ignored

26th Jan 2016

what makes you think you shouldnt have to pay for water you have used? The leak was in the property so entirely down to you to pay. The water board even pointed out the excessive use to you. They dont monitor your usage daily so your meter was probably read a few weeks ago.

26th Jan 2016

They pointed it out and drafted a letter dated a month before its sent to me. You think that's reasonable?

26th Jan 2016

I know this is harsh but the letter was dated 10th December and you received it 7th January but you can hardly blame the water company for postal delays over holidays. You really need to talk to your landlord and see if he is prepared to pay some of the bill.

26th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
They pointed it out and drafted a letter dated a month before its sent to … They pointed it out and drafted a letter dated a month before its sent to me. You think that's reasonable?

Yes. Water leaks in your property are your responsibility, not the water board.

26th Jan 2016

chocci
Yes. Water leaks in your property are your responsibility, not the water … Yes. Water leaks in your property are your responsibility, not the water board.

That's funny as I've just had a call back and had it explained that I am not responsible. This is from the water company themselves. This property is not mine. Please read before posting incorrect information.

26th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
That's funny as I've just had a call back and had it explained that I am … That's funny as I've just had a call back and had it explained that I am not responsible. This is from the water company themselves. This property is not mine. Please read before posting incorrect information.

but are they saying that THEY are responsible?

28th Jan 2016

brilly
but are they saying that THEY are responsible?

Basically they said my landlord was responsible and I explained the situation to him. He basically said the same as I thought, letting it go on for 5 months and making no attempt to contact the customer is ethically wrong. As well as this, writing a letter highlighting a problem and then not sending it to the customer straight away or even phoning the customer is disgraceful.

I then complained to Yorkshire water and they have dropped all charges and revised my bill to £45 for 4 months.

So for anyone reading this in the same position as me, ignore all comments on here saying that you are responsible. You are not.

28th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
Basically they said my landlord was responsible and I explained the … Basically they said my landlord was responsible and I explained the situation to him. He basically said the same as I thought, letting it go on for 5 months and making no attempt to contact the customer is ethically wrong. As well as this, writing a letter highlighting a problem and then not sending it to the customer straight away or even phoning the customer is disgraceful.I then complained to Yorkshire water and they have dropped all charges and revised my bill to £45 for 4 months. So for anyone reading this in the same position as me, ignore all comments on here saying that you are responsible. You are not.

just because they waived the bill doesn't mean they have accepted responsibility

ofc the landlord thought the same as you - he wanted to blame someone else as well!

Edited by: "brilly" 28th Jan 2016

28th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
Basically they said my landlord was responsible and I explained the … Basically they said my landlord was responsible and I explained the situation to him. He basically said the same as I thought, letting it go on for 5 months and making no attempt to contact the customer is ethically wrong. As well as this, writing a letter highlighting a problem and then not sending it to the customer straight away or even phoning the customer is disgraceful.I then complained to Yorkshire water and they have dropped all charges and revised my bill to £45 for 4 months. So for anyone reading this in the same position as me, ignore all comments on here saying that you are responsible. You are not.

If would get all statements from Yorkshire Water in writing if you have not got them already.

Sounds like you were lucky with YW and if you only have verbal agreements with them they *may* prove worthless in the future.

just saying ...

EliTom

28th Jan 2016

brilly
just because they waived the bill doesn't mean they have accepted … just because they waived the bill doesn't mean they have accepted responsibilityofc the landlord thought the same as you - he wanted to blame someone else as well!

The voice of reason! This entitlement culture knows no bounds.

28th Jan 2016

elitom
If would get all statements from Yorkshire Water in writing if you have … If would get all statements from Yorkshire Water in writing if you have not got them already.Sounds like you were lucky with YW and if you only have verbal agreements with them they *may* prove worthless in the future.just saying ...EliTom

What do you mean prove worthless in the future? The bill has already been changed. That 45 is the total of 4 months use.

28th Jan 2016

brilly
just because they waived the bill doesn't mean they have accepted … just because they waived the bill doesn't mean they have accepted responsibilityofc the landlord thought the same as you - he wanted to blame someone else as well!

But it wasn't just the landlord that thought the same as me? The water company thought the same as me? For example the charges were dropped for this reason...

Do you think they just drop a 400 pound bill just willy nilly? No. They didn't act correctly when they spotted the leak, they rectified that.

28th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
ignore all comments on here saying that you are responsible. You are not.

Errr you are & next time you have an obvious leak you should have spotted months ago I will bet you that you dont get the same result.

At the end of the day you knew the system was leaking & done nothing about it until you got a bill.

28th Jan 2016

YouDontWantToKnow
Errr you are & next time you have an obvious leak you should have spotted … Errr you are & next time you have an obvious leak you should have spotted months ago I will bet you that you dont get the same result.At the end of the day you knew the system was leaking & done nothing about it until you got a bill.

Where did I say I knew about the leak?

28th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
But it wasn't just the landlord that thought the same as me? The water … But it wasn't just the landlord that thought the same as me? The water company thought the same as me? For example the charges were dropped for this reason...Do you think they just drop a 400 pound bill just willy nilly? No. They didn't act correctly when they spotted the leak, they rectified that.

wrong, you stamped your foot and had a tantrum and they wrote it off
not a first, quick google shows they have written off bills of tens of thousands
quick google also shows who is responsible for leaks on a property
you seem to have trouble understanding a couple of other points such as when the leak was spotted and delivery times (got a post mark?) automated billing etc
probably wrote it off as takes them too many man hours to deal with you!

28th Jan 2016

brilly
wrong, you stamped your foot and had a tantrum and they wrote it offnot a … wrong, you stamped your foot and had a tantrum and they wrote it offnot a first, quick google shows they have written off bills of tens of thousandsquick google also shows who is responsible for leaks on a propertyyou seem to have trouble understanding a couple of other points such as when the leak was spotted and delivery times (got a post mark?) automated billing etc probably wrote it off as takes them too many man hours to deal with you!

Wrong. Who is right here, brilly off hotukdeals or employee for yorkshire water? I know you want to get off on someone's misery but its time to let this one go. The outcome has been resolved and you are wrong. Also when does delivery of a letter take a month.

28th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
Wrong. Who is right here, brilly off hotukdeals or employee for yorkshire … Wrong. Who is right here, brilly off hotukdeals or employee for yorkshire water? I know you want to get off on someone's misery but its time to let this one go. The outcome has been resolved and you are wrong. Also when does delivery of a letter take a month.

you really are a bit slow aren't you - remember how you spoke to an employee at the start? they said your landlord was liable but oh no you dont want to listen to that - only the one that suits you.
when they paid have the admitted liability?
did you get a posting date off the letter? even if it did take a month thats a fraction of the amount anyway
sheesh, almost want to pay your 300quid to shut you up as well!

Edited by: "brilly" 28th Jan 2016

28th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
Where did I say I knew about the leak?

Like I have said before..

It was an obvious leak & you ignored it for months until you got the bill. You were then told by your water company that the bill was correct & you were to pay it or your landlord.

To even attempt to suggest you & your landlord were not responsible is a joke and not only are you insulting the intelligence of the readers of this thread but also insulting the intelligence of those that contributed to it.

Pretty poor behaviour.

28th Jan 2016

YouDontWantToKnow
Like I have said before..It was an obvious leak & you ignored it for … Like I have said before..It was an obvious leak & you ignored it for months until you got the bill. You were then told by your water company that the bill was correct & you were to pay it or your landlord. To even attempt to suggest you & your landlord were not responsible is a joke and not only are you insulting the intelligence of the readers of this thread but also insulting the intelligence of those that contributed to it.Pretty poor behaviour.

So to summarise, you can't find where I said I knew about the leak.

Pretty poor behaviour.

28th Jan 2016

brilly
you really are a bit slow aren't you - remember how you spoke to an … you really are a bit slow aren't you - remember how you spoke to an employee at the start? they said your landlord was liable but oh no you dont want to listen to that - only the one that suits you.when they paid have the admitted liability?did you get a posting date off the letter? even if it did take a month thats a fraction of the amount anywaysheesh, almost want to pay your 300quid to shut you up as well!

Yes they did admit liability which is why they wiped a now 400 pound bill. Do you understand?

Calm down, no need to get angry when you are wrong. Just walk away, its OK. You can do it.

28th Jan 2016

Pauladin91
Yes they did admit liability which is why they wiped a now 400 pound … Yes they did admit liability which is why they wiped a now 400 pound bill. Do you understand?Calm down, no need to get angry when you are wrong. Just walk away, its OK. You can do it.

i understand that getting a straight and truthful answer out of you is nigh on impossible
you only seem to pick and choose what you want to hear then just make up the rest
never mind, at least it got you your money... well it wasnt really yours but lets no split hairs eh

Edited by: "brilly" 28th Jan 2016

28th Jan 2016

brilly
i understand that getting a straight and truthful answer out of you is … i understand that getting a straight and truthful answer out of you is nigh on impossibleyou only seem to pick and choose what you want to hear then just make up the restnever mind, at least it got you your money... well it wasnt really yours but lets no split hairs eh

Oh so now I'm lying because you can't handle being wrong. You are ruining this community site. I was merely putting up what had happened to help others in the same situation.