Confusion over water supply in a converted property

demorules

Bit of a long explanation, so bear with me...! I moved into my flat a few weeks ago. It used to be part of a large house which a private developer has recently converted (about 3 years ago) into 15 different flats.

There is a water meter underneath the sink in my kitchen. When I called the supplier to tell them I'd moved in, I also asked them to add the meter to my account for billing purposes (their online records told me no meter was fitted). They said they had no record of a meter being fitted at my property, and upon further investigation it turns out that their records indicate there is one large meter which supplies the whole block. My flat is only liable for surface water drainage apparently and the landlord should pay the water charge.

However, the problem is that the landlord didn't notify the supplier he was assuming control of the whole block, and as such, that account has been billed on zero consumption for the past three years. The water supplier is obviously unhappy about this as the meter is supplying all these flats, and want me to provide the landlord's contact details (they know the landlord's name from looking it up on Land Registry) to resolve this.

I feel this is going to open a massive can of worms and obviously I'm reluctant to give out the landlord's contact details in case this comes back to bite me, but I do think this should be sorted as no water has been paid for during the last three years (and in any event, I don't think I've done anything wrong...).

I suppose I just want some advice as to what you would do in my situation, or what you think I should do. Going to have a think about it over the weekend and act upon it early next week. Thanks in advance.

sammyjammy

You refer to the Landlord so I assume you are renting the flat?

Just give the landlords details, what's the alternative? Pay the bill yourself?

What does it say in you tenancy agreement about water bills if anything?

G_M

sammyjammy wrote: »

What does it say in you tenancy agreement about water bills if anything?

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Thrugelmir

demorules wrote: »

I feel this is going to open a massive can of worms and obviously I'm reluctant to give out the landlord's contact details in case this comes back to bite me,/QUOTE]

I doubt that the water company is going to say we obtained your details from ..........

As it has no relevance to the issue at hand.

demorules

Yes, apologies for not being clearer - I'm renting from a private landlord.

The tenancy agreement simply specifies that I should notify the utility suppliers (gas, water and electricity) that I have moved in and that the accounts should be transferred into my name.

On reflection over the weekend, I think I'm going to pass the LL's contact details to the water company - as has been intimated above, little else that can be done really.