Water Bill for block of flats

irobot8

Hi all,


I recently moved out of a block of flats. Previously, it was a single dwelling, and converted to flats just before I moved in.


Separate water meters were never fitted by the landlord, despite my raising this early on. I also tried (unsuccessfully) to have the supplier send me an unmetered bill.


The landlord now has a big bill for the supply, and wants to deduct a self-calculated portion of this from the deposit (which is due to be returned to me) - based on length of tenancy, relative size of flat etc.


I'd prefer for this to be done by the book, so there's some kind of record of my payment to the supplier.


Should I consider paying this self-calculated amount, or otherwise insist on a separate bill from the water supplier? (which the Managing Agent has initially suggested is not possible)


Many thanks in advance for any advice.


All the best,


IR8

G_M

What is th exact wording in your tenancy agreement with regards to water and/or utilities?

marliepanda

I'm not sure how you're expecting to get a separate bill for this situation?

theartfullodger

Thank the landlord kindly for his helpful suggestion, and, either ....
a) Decline & see if he sues or...
b) enclose a cheque for 5p. And tell him you will continue to pay, every 4 years, 5p....or
c) Simply ignore it

Stupid landlord for letting this happen: If he'd only put "water included" in the tenancy & increased rent by, say, £17:50/month you'd probably never have worried about it.

There must be laws about charging for resale of water...

irobot8

G_M wrote: »

What is th exact wording in your tenancy agreement with regards to water and/or utilities?

Wording of the initial 1 year tenancy agreement is "The Tenant agrees with the Landlord ... To pay promptly to the authorities to whom they are due, council tax, water and sewerage charges, gas, electric and telephone (if any) relating to the property, where they are incurred during the period of the agreement, including any that are imposed after the date of this Agreement (even if of a novel nature) and to pay the total cost of any re-connection fee relating to the supply of water, gas, electricity and telephone if the same is disconnected".


It was a periodic tenancy after that initial 1 year.

irobot8

marliepanda wrote: »

I'm not sure how you're expecting to get a separate bill for this situation?

When I was trying to get an unmetered bill during the tenancy, the water supplier confirmed that one flat in the building was receiving an unmetered bill. So, I guess it would be possible for the supplier to provide an unmetered bill for the entire period of our tenancy.

G_M

irobot8 wrote: »

Wording of the initial 1 year tenancy agreement is "The Tenant agrees with the Landlord ... To pay promptly to the authorities to whom they are due, council tax, water and sewerage charges, gas, electric and telephone (if any) relating to the property, ......

Well that seems clear.

If and when 'the authorities' send you a bill for 'the property' (ie your flat), then you will have to pay it.

anselld

irobot8 wrote: »

When I was trying to get an unmetered bill during the tenancy, the water supplier confirmed that one flat in the building was receiving an unmetered bill. So, I guess it would be possible for the supplier to provide an unmetered bill for the entire period of our tenancy.

The flat with an unmetered supply must have its own supply.

If the L has split another (metered) supply to serve a number of other flats then there is no way the water co can give one of those flats an unmetered bill.

Basically one metered supply pipe, one bill.

bouicca21

I don't understand. Surely the water bill for each flat is based on the council tax band. If the water company can't install a meter for an individual flat they offer to 'deem' you on one.

Norman_Castle

irobot8 wrote: »

When I was trying to get an unmetered bill during the tenancy, the water supplier confirmed that one flat in the building was receiving an unmetered bill. So, I guess it would be possible for the supplier to provide an unmetered bill for the entire period of our tenancy.

Is this unmetered bill for the whole property before conversion into flats rather than for just the one flat?

diamond_dave

How long have you lived in the flat? When the property was converted all the flats would have had to have separate water supplies and meters as a condition of the planning consent,no? I can't see that the landlord can now ask for a "donation" to the bill - surely you could argue that the water charge was included in the rent? Why has the landlord not paid the bill monthly? What about the other flat tenants? What have they paid?