Rent includes water, but water is infected

ACon

Im in a rented property with its own water supply and sewerage, so no water charges. The Landlords made a big thing of it when we enquired about this place, about how they charged this amount because water was included, and they sorted the sewerage, they own another two properties on the land, and they and their family live in them (its a farm)

A month or so ago my son was severely ill with chronic diarrhoea and stomach pains. He was convulsing and having hallucinations from the fever of over 41 degrees as he has a condition which causes him to have extreme temps with illnesses, we're used to the fevers so with a combination of his meds we managed it at home. Stupidly.
I then find out the neighbours children are also sick. Eventually they tell me the water supply is low and may be murky. They categorically stated it was safe to drink but "not to let the baby drink it" We of course bought in bottled water and have ever since.

Now they have sent their 6 yr old over to warn me if we waste water they will charge us extra. To share baths, to not flush unless necessary etc, and told my son not to use his brand new water pistol
All of our water is murky, run a bath and its yellow/brown. Im not sure how it works but they pump I think from the river when the well is low, now the 6 yr old is saying they may have to buy some in?

Sooo can't do much or say much for worry of losing yet another home for our family, (last one was severely damp and complaining led to eviction) but legally where would I stand here? No fresh drinking water, having to boil or buy in bottled water and restrictions on normal every day things.... I'm still paying full rent regardless of all of this and so far bitten my tongue. They glare at my husband watering our veg patch, with rain water collected in stores!! I'm just so angry that now they are sending a 6yr old to threaten us... grr.

pmlindyloo

Wow, that sounds awful.

A landlord has a responsibility to make sure that there are no defects in the water supply.

Personally I would have a word with Enviromantal Health to find out your best approach to this problem.

BitterAndTwisted

Why are you getting all upset by receiving a second-hand message from a child? Instead of fretting why don't you do the grown-up thing and talk to some responsible adults face-to-face about it like a normal person?

Beckyy

If water is included in rent then IMO they should be supplying the bottled water. I think they may be legally required to do this (?)

Please speak to environmental health/shelter. Don't be scared of being evicted, if they try to get rid of you then you know that you'll be saved a lot of hassle from future disputes with them.

I would also look into withholding rent, and if you are entitled to do this, it's unacceptable and you shouldn't be so nice. Stand up to them, or they will walk all over you. You do need to talk tot hem about it though, messages through a 6 year old aren't a good or official form of communication!

Itismehonest

If they are letting properties the water supply has to be tested regularly by law. Of course, they may not be doing this but they may & you could find yourself in big trouble for suggesting they are providing infected water.

Private supplies can often run low - or, in some cases, run dry particularly in times when the whole water table is low. The discolouration is normally just because sediment has been stirred up. Even water companies have this problem from time to time. It doesn't mean that it is necessarily contaminated but you should boil it before drinking to be sure.

If you can't negotiate an agreed reduction of rent to cover the lack of supply or for the landlord to provide water from another source (yes, it can be tankered in but it is very, very expensive) then it may well be a case of moving on to somewhere else, I'm afraid.

ACon

Should I be expected to pay, if they have to pay for water?

G_M

1) get the water tested! Speak to Environmental Health at the council.

2) If the water is not fit for human consumption then the property is uninhabitable. The LL will need to either
a) move you to alternative accomodation (you simply continue to pay the same rent) or
b) fix the water supply to meet EH standards or
c) at a push, provide bottled water for drinking (though I expect EH would not accept this due to the need for safe washing water.

It sounds to me like cross-contamination between the water supply and the sewage system.

Itismehonest

Not as far as I know.

We live in an area with Private Water. Luckily we have never run out in over 25 years (famous last words) but neighbours have.
One property, large farmhouse which was then used as a holiday let, completely ran out & the owner got the Water Board to tanker water in - I was told it cost him around £1K & that was the better part of 20 years ago.

In theory, private water can never be totally free in a rented property because there are costs involved due to testing &, in most cases, the equipment needed to ensure the water is filtered & treated (normally UV). If the farmer has been paying for this without passing any costs on then he can't be totally bad. Of course, I don't know if this is the case. He may be breaking the law by letting without doing all the things necessary by law. A quick call to the local council (in our area it's the department that deals with animal health which also deals with water testing but I think it differs in different areas) will tell you if the water is being monitored.

ACon

ok thanks I will call the council and see if he's been getting it tested.
we do have filters in our house, we have to replace them every couple of months, which led me to assume water would be safe to drink. He said he doesnt even use the filters in his house, doesnt think its necessary, but his wife has told me that they are on bottled water since the children all fell ill.

Itismehonest

G_M wrote: »

1) get the water tested! Speak to Environmental Health at the council.

2) If the water is not fit for human consumption then the property is uninhabitable. The LL will need to either
a) move you to alternative accomodation (you simply continue to pay the same rent) or
b) fix the water supply to meet EH standards or
c) at a push, provide bottled water for drinking (though I expect EH would not accept this due to the need for safe washing water.

It sounds to me like cross-contamination between the water supply and the sewage system.

The latter is pretty unlikely. Water usually comes in from one direction & sewage leaves in another. It is much more likely that the level has got down to such a degree that the sand & grit in the bottom of the tank or well has been stirred up & is coming through the tap as discoloured water.
In fact there is as much likelihood of water having a quality problem during times of heavy rainfall when nitrates etc. get washed off the fields. The tester will usually make allowances for the weather just prior to a test being taken.

princeofpounds

Another vote for environmental health. It's what they are there for.