Leaking pipe within property boundary - tenant or landlord responsibility?

Nick212010

I’m currently renting a terrace house. A leak has been discovered by United Utilities and they’ve been to inspect twice and are saying it’s within the property boundary under flags at the bottom of the back yard, but the water is finding its way out on to a public road. I’ve informed my landlord and passed the information across to them.

United Utilities first inspected in March, and since then they’ve sent a rather intimidating letter threatening court action against me if it’s not fixed. Subsequently this was forwarded to my landlord. The landlord is seemingly refusing to engage in getting the leak fixed, and I’m working with a customer service against at United Utilities to resolve the issue.

Question is firstly, who is responsible for the repair? I was under the impression it was the landlord as the home owner.

Secondly, United Utilities are sending correspondence in my name, so how would this affect me if they go to court to get a warrant to get access to the property to do the repair? I have a copy of my tenancy agreement, and correspondence between me and the landlord showing proof I’ve liaised with them and keeping them up to date, but there’s very little action from the landlord’s end to show they’re serious about getting this fixed.

 Many thanks.

DE_612183

Have you complained to your local council that your Landlord is neglecting their responsibilities?

Nick212010

I wasn’t aware that was an option. Trying to avoid third party involvement unless I have no other choice.

theartfullodger

Landlord.  

Write/email him reporting ALL  and any repair issues using draft letter on Shelter website.  Then follow later steps on that page if not sorted 


Artful: Landlord since 2000

_Penny_Dreadful

Nick212010 said:

I’m currently renting a terrace house. A leak has been discovered by United Utilities and they’ve been to inspect twice and are saying it’s within the property boundary under flags at the bottom of the back yard, but the water is finding its way out on to a public road. I’ve informed my landlord and passed the information across to them.

United Utilities first inspected in March, and since then they’ve sent a rather intimidating letter threatening court action against me if it’s not fixed. Subsequently this was forwarded to my landlord. The landlord is seemingly refusing to engage in getting the leak fixed, and I’m working with a customer service against at United Utilities to resolve the issue.

Question is firstly, who is responsible for the repair? I was under the impression it was the landlord as the home owner.

Secondly, United Utilities are sending correspondence in my name, so how would this affect me if they go to court to get a warrant to get access to the property to do the repair? I have a copy of my tenancy agreement, and correspondence between me and the landlord showing proof I’ve liaised with them and keeping them up to date, but there’s very little action from the landlord’s end to show they’re serious about getting this fixed.

 Many thanks.

This is your landlord's responsibility unless the landlord is a leaseholder himself in which case the freeholder would probably be responsible, in any case it is not your responsibility. 

Write to your landlord at the address for the serving of notices given in your tenancy agreement to report the issue.  Give United Utilities your landlord's contact details.  It's not for you to deal with them, it is not for you to fix, therefore there is nothing for them to successfully take you to court for.

propertyrental

Landlord responsibility.

Make sure United Utilities have the LL's details and advise them to contact him at the address he provided to you 'for serving notices' (if you don't have this you don't need to pay rent)

Contact Environmental Health at council and get them to inspect - they should serve an 'Improvement Notice' on the LL

pinkshoes

This is absolutely the LLs responsibility.

1) email the landlord detailing him when the problem arose, and when he was notified of the issue, and remind him that it is his responsibility to fix it.

2) contact United Utilities and give them the name and address of the landlord, pointing out that the property is rented out, and that they need to send any letters to the landlord and not the tenant regarding the issue. 

(keep a paper trail so if UU take you to court you can prove you told them the contact details of the landlord, and you have also contacted the LL to let them know).

ripplyuk

I had a similar issue with a previous rented property. A burst mains water pipe that the landlord refused to fix and the water board started sending me threatening letters (the bill was £4000 and growing!). I was worried in case it somehow affected my credit rating. After many phone calls, emails etc trying to explain the situation and getting nowhere with them, I eventually wrote to them quoting data protection/GDPR, telling them they should not be discussing my landlord’s personal business with me. This worked. I got a letter of apology and no more hassle from them. I’d advise doing the same.