Shared Water Supply

[raindash]

The landlord from next door just called us to let us know his tenants had a leak in his property last night and a plumber attended to fix it.*

He says as the leak was in the pipe leading from the water supply to our house it is 100% our responsibility and we need to pay him.*

I basically told him to put it all in writing and we would get legal advice as I am unsure how legit that sounds. Also why didn't they knock or call last night to discuss this in real time, we were in all night? Surely at most we are 50/50 responsible for any shared pipes on his property? Any advice would be great, going to call our home insurance people for advice also.*

This is the first house we have owned and only been here 6 months so all new to us. Thanks in advance.

[raindash]

I hope this diagram helps*

[ostell]

Ask your water company for their opinion.* Could well be your problem

[des8]

Shared supply pipe serving more than one property is generally the joint responsibility of all property owners served by pipe

Why would the supply pipe start leaking? Old age or was next door using hammer and nails?

[raindash]

Water company agree and say all 3 of us who share that supply are responsible. I have no idea how the leak occurred, just it did and he wants us to pay 100% of the plumbers fees. If he had come and knocked on our door last night when the plumbers where there we could have talked about it and come to an agreement and also have seen and heard what they had to say about the leak. Seems off that the next day he is just demanding money without any proof or warning about it.*

[des8]

So now you ask for a copy of the plumber's invoice.
When you have that you'll be able to ask the plumber what he thinks is the reason for the leak.

[raindash]

Yes, I thought best to ask for everything in writing so I can follow it all up. Never met the landlord before just his tenants so wasn't going to agree to just hand over money for work already done over the phone with no paper trail and invoice etc etc.

[raindash]

So, today we have received a letter demanding the full cost for his plumbers. Also saying a further bill will be on our way for the damage done to his cellar. There was an invoice included saying just "work and parts £120" nothing about vat or what was done etc. He is saying if we don't pay in 14 days he will cut off our water as we are refusing to maintain it. Water company are now saying he should not be touching the supply pipe at all and turning out water off, but they can't do anything if he does and we need to pay to get a private supply if he cuts of off.*

[des8]

first check your deeds or title register at land Registry (cost £3) to see if you havehave a legal easement for water supply via neighbours property.

The website link is:*https://www.gov.uk/search-property-i...-land-registry

[wales01man]

Where is the water companies stopcock? on the neighbours property or outside in the public path?

[Coldest]

My pipes leaked from dampness. I found a solution. Thermal insulation for pipes with aluminum foil https://alfipa.com/aluminum-foils/ is highly reflective and retains heat much more efficiently than materials without a protective layer. According to average statistics, a building in the winter period loses from 40% to 70% of thermal energy.