Money Moral Dilemma: Is it fair I pay to repair a water pipe that only supplies our neighbours?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

 I live in a semi-detached house where the water supply used to be shared with the house next door through a lead pipe. I put in a plastic pipe with a new stopcock to provide water to our house 25 years ago. But the lead pipe (that now only feeds the house next door) passes through my property and has developed a leak. I contacted a plumber who quoted me £650 to repair it. My neighbours are refusing to share the cost, but should I have to pay for it? 

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the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Talk to the water company is probably best. Below shows who is responsible for what. 

https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/households/supply-and-standards/supply-pipes/

pkk1964

Depending on your water company, they may offer a free private leak repair scheme.

Annabell53

We have a neighbours water pipe cross our property and it is their responsibility to repair it AND repair any damage to our property made during the repair.

bradavon

Your neighbours are stupid. Their water bill is going to go up, not yours.

Contact the water company. See if you can get them on your side.

007_spectre

Get the plumber to cap the leaking pipe, then you have protected your property from damage and after that it's not your problem! 
Sit back and wait for the calls, and give them the phone number of the plumber.

bresych

Not really a moral question as I'm sure if the water company were contacted, they would agree that the supply was the responsibility of the neighnour. Failing that though, as long as they were a big family I would happily pay the £650 then have a water meter fitted too. 

Blair21

Definitely get the plumber to cap the faulty pipe to protect your property. Inform your the water company as soon as you have done this so that they can deal directly with the neighbours. 

Puffer

If the leak is not threatening your own property and is downstream of any branch to your house, then you can ignore it!   Your neighbour is the loser and, as far as I can see, wholly responsible for effecting any repairs - for which he will need your consent if excavation is required on your property.   In theory, I suppose you could charge him for the inconvenience and any damage done that is not made good - but you wouldn't be so mean, would you?

flyinghigh1234

You can't cap the pipe, that would be interfering with an essential service and could get you in trouble.  As it isn't your supply you have no obligation to pay or contribute to it. Your neighbour has an obligation to maintain the pipe including the right to enter your property to do this. I suspect that if the leak is causing damage to your property they should cover that as well. Reasoning is always best and a conciliatory approach should work. Take advice from your water company.  £650 for a pipe repair sounds scandalous.  

Dave_c_v

I think the Big issue here is "LEAD Pipe"! Your neighbours are being poisoned every day especially in the morning when the water has stood in the pipe all night dissolving the lead. I do hope there are no children next door as young children will get brain damaged in the same way lead in car fumes damaged children.  By the attitude of your neighbours some brain damage has already occurred to the not so grown ups.