Water - external leak....who pays?

Question

Hi,

I have just been 'diagnased'(!) with an external water leak. The water engineer man is coming back tomorrow to establish if I should pay for the leak or not. As I live in a block of flats on a leasehold basis he thinks I may need to pay. I do own the self contained flat though (on a mortgage...not outright), but the building has the lease on it, not my property. Does anyone know if I should be paying for this or not?

Also, the water company are saying that I have a bill of £250 (I live myself!!) in addition to the monthly amount I pay. I moved in one year ago and have never submitted any readins to them; they have based my bills on estimates - which are estimated with the leaking water!

Am I exoected to pay a bill for water I have not used, on a water supply that has been leaking on the outside of the property?

Help much appreciated!!!

Answer 1

yes u are unfortunately one of our water bills for water taken away came in at 96 quid when it should have been about 20 cos of a drip in the toilet cistern if the leak is in the boundaries u are responsible but if the leak is outside the boundaries then that is down the water company sorry. be very surprised wot a leak can do to a water bill.

Answer 2

My daughter lives in Bryson city NC and gets her water as part of her lease.  Merry old England.  I didn't know you had to read your own meters.  Sounds like you'll have to get someone with authority involved.  Good luck.

Answer 3

No, it is not your sole responsibility, who is the freeholder?

Where exactly is the leak?

Do not pay anybody until you establish the facts above, most flats are lease, and it is always a combined effort when any repairs needs doing outside the properties.

unless you specify where the leak is, i cant go on any further.

Do not worry, if the water board say you will not have to pay, then you won't have too, do not sign anything on completion of the work, other than a works order, if required.

It is obviously a burst or leaking water mains, of which is on there side (the utility company).

This should be a warning to all lessee's in apartment blocks, it will not always be the responsibility of the utility companies.

The best way to ensure that no individual incurs a huge bill for work carried out in a communal area is too; form a limited company, it is extremely cheap to do, on line, or in person at company's house in Bloomsbury.

You will be certified, and can display the certificate in the hallway.

You will obviously have to set up a bank account in the name of the block, and appoint a secretary, it will only cost you a minimal sum each (per resident), but what price can you put on peace of mind.

Display a notice in the communal area of the building to let other residents know that this is your intentions, go to see a solicitor, and he will draw up a residents contract.

Answer 4

Here in Gods country. Fort Smith Arkansas, USA. And in most other areas of this country the rule is very simple.

The city, county or town owns the meter and water lines leading up to it. The property owner is responsible from the meter to the structure and all water lines within.  

But if a leak occurs on the property owners side he can inform the city and they will pro-rate the bill to a lower cost for that billing period to offset the cost of fixing the line break.

Miketyson26