Resolving water bill problem with landlord

[Deleted User]

I have touched on this in other threads but here goes.
I have given notice and am moving out on Dec 9th 2012.
Tenancy started on July 8th 2011 with extension renewal on Jan 8th 2012.
Water meter was put in on Dec 9th 2011.I took the first meter reading in March and was told that I was using four times the amount of water that a single person would normally use.Found a leak in the toilet.I informed LL of leak and plumber came and fixed.
I have already paid out £251 for water,which is £30 above normal single tenancy amount according to Southern waters calculations, for 12 months.So I figure I've paid my fair share.
There is now an outstanding amount of £203.I know some of you are going to state that I'm the tenant and so I should pay.If I hadn't sorted the leak etc the bill would be pushing the £1000 mark !!
Now I don't think it fair me paying the remainder total.I'm thinking of contacting the LL and stating this...but I think I know what the answer would be.I could try and strike a deal and pay 50/50.Or I could walk away and not pay.I've had a decent relationship with the LL's agency (having never actually spoke or met the LL) so I'm not comfy doing a runner.I'm wondering what to do if they flatly refuse to contribute anything.Suggestions ??

Fire_Fox

You cannot walk away and not pay, the bill is in your name and Southern Water can chase you for payment. You need to communicate with the landlord, there is no point in communicating with the agency they don't have any authority to agree to pay this amount. Why not come back to us for your next move when you have contacted the landlord? I can't see the point in speculating about what he might or might not do when you have not even made informal enquiries of your landlord.

timberflake

First off, doing a runner is not an option as the water company will end up trashing your credit profile.

Next, up until the point that you discovered the leak I think you are liable for the bill (just my opinion). Once the leak had been identified, if the LL was negligent in getting it repaired i.e. it took too long, I would say you have a case to request that he pays a prortion or all of this amount.

However, if the LL had the leak repaired within a reasonable about of time I think you're liable for the balance as the LL would have done everything within their power to repair the problem as quickly as possible.

[Deleted User]

Yeah, but my arguement is that I'm paying for water that's been leaking ever since I moved in, the leak was there in the first place.I had the meter put in as I wanted to save water and found the leak just by chance so now it's going to cost me triple of what I would have paid had I just paid the quarterly tariff that I was on in the first place.
I've just spoken to the agency who spoke to the LL and he's refusing to pay towards it.So if I refuse to pay...what next ?

Fire_Fox

Deleted_User wrote: »

Yeah, but my arguement is that I'm paying for water that's been leaking ever since I moved in, the leak was there in the first place.I had the meter put in as I wanted to save water and found the leak just by chance so now it's going to cost me triple of what I would have paid had I just paid the quarterly tariff that I was on in the first place.
I've just spoken to the agency who spoke to the LL and he's refusing to pay towards it.So if I refuse to pay...what next ?

"You cannot walk away and not pay, the bill is in your name and Southern Water can chase you for payment. You need to communicate with the landlord, there is no point in communicating with the agency they don't have any authority to agree to pay this amount. Why not come back to us for your next move when you have contacted the landlord? I can't see the point in speculating about what he might or might not do when you have not even made informal enquiries of your landlord."

m0t

Deleted_User wrote: »

.So if I refuse to pay...what next ?

You have a contract with Southern Water, and they will chase you for payment regardless of who was actually responsible for the water use. If you do not pay the bill you will end up with debt collectors and worse, so this isn't an option.

You would then need to take action against the landlord to recover the portion of the bill caused by the leaking water. I don't know if the landlord is legally responsible, but in your shoes I would be similiarly annoyed.

Edit: Not paying the bill will seem like a good idea until the point you can't get a mortgage, personal loan, car loan, credit card, rent a house etc

timberflake

Deleted_User wrote: »

Yeah, but my arguement is that I'm paying for water that's been leaking ever since I moved in, the leak was there in the first place.I had the meter put in as I wanted to save water and found the leak just by chance so now it's going to cost me triple of what I would have paid had I just paid the quarterly tariff that I was on in the first place.
I've just spoken to the agency who spoke to the LL and he's refusing to pay towards it.So if I refuse to pay...what next ?

Ok, but what proof do you have that the leak was there when you moved in? And if you knew the leak was there why did you still have the meter fitted?!

xoAmyox

Also, did you even have permission for the meter? The landlord could charge you for removing it, if the condition exists in the tenancy agreement

timberflake

xoAmyox wrote: »

Also, did you even have permission for the meter? The landlord could charge you for removing it, if the condition exists in the tenancy agreement

I may be wrong but I dont think they can be removed once fitted, so hopefully the OP got written permission from the LL.

dimbo61

If your tenancy started on the 8th of july should you not be out by the 7th of december or you could end up paying for the whole of december?
£28.37 per month for water for one person.
How much would it have been for the water rates ?

[Deleted User]

timberflake wrote: »

Ok, but what proof do you have that the leak was there when you moved in? And if you knew the leak was there why did you still have the meter fitted?!

When I contacted Southern Water with the first meter reading I was told then that the reading was really high and that there must be a leak somewhere...did a tap test and found the leak in the toilet cistern,which I discovered was making a just audible hissing noise.If I knew there was a leak I would have contacted the LL first about it...then put a meter in!
Just seems I'm being punished for trying to conserve water !