to ask how you'd play this - re: landlord, big water bill and moving

[PupInBoots]

Have lived in my house for 20 months. Last week I received a huge water bill, it seems theres a silent leak which as far as I'm aware makesthe bill my llandlords responsibility to pay. However, I was planning on giving them my notice and worry they'll be less willing to do so if they know this. It transpires that they've been behind on admin and my contract actually ran out in April so I have no idea where I stand.

Aibu to ask what you'd do in this situation? My landlord doesn't know about the leak or my intention to leave yet.

How do you know there's a silent leak?
Why haven't you told the LL about the leak? They need to know so if there is one they can get it fixed as soon as possible.
Is it possible you have just used a lot of water?

If it's a private let then I think they just go on a rolling contract so you wouldn't need to sign a new one. I've never had to, but friends that rent through agencies do because agencies like to screw people on charging ££

You absolutely have to tell the LL about the leak now. Then if it turns out there is one you should be able to work out from your previous bill what this bill should have been. You pay the usual amount (from same time of year last year would be a good indication) and they can pay the excess.

You leaving is a desperate issue and you just need to give notice a month before.

*desperate - separate.

why a silent leak? were the previous bills ok?.based on actual readings or estimates? have you contacted water co yet?

I'm a LL - if you think there's a problem which has suddenly caused the water bill to go up then you need to bring it to the LL's attention now and speak to the water company ASAP.

You need to give one month's notice to the landlord which fits with your rent payment so if you pay rent on 1st of the month give notice on or before that date to move out on 31st day of the month.

If you are worried about your deposit, it should be protected in a scheme and you should have the registration details.

Once the water bill has been looked into then should it be down purely to your consumption then of course you are liable to pay the bill off whether you are still living there or not.

You are on a rolling contract -you give a month, LL gives you 2 months. It is normal where grasping agents are not involved.

How do you know it is a 'silent leak'? Are you hoping because of the size of the bill or have you checked the bill with the supplier? If you know it is a leak tell your LL and hand your notice in. It is all normal. You don't have to go all cloak and dagger.

Don't be a complete twat about it. The LL didn't cause the leak or the bill and will need to claim on insurance etc to get it fixed, after checking for any other damage. It is more of an inconvenience to them than you.

^^ this.

You and the LL might be Ok about the leak. A surveyor discovered a raging torrent , albeit a silent one, cascading under DS's house. I was appalled at how much the metered charge would be, but good old Anglia Water fixed the leak and said they would look at what his normal consumption turned out to be and just charge him that. Best to get it sorted sooner rather than later.

Definitely let the LL know about the leak - totally separate issue to you giving notice. Also call the water company. We had a £400+ water bill for 3 months! OMG type moment. However there was a leak, and even though the leak was on our property (so our responsibility, not the water company's), they waived the bill. I do love wessex water.

This bill is £800 for 6 months! No obvious leak so likely to be a silent one. Previous bills were ok and based on readings. Have told the landlord but haven't heard back yet. There is no way the bill is correct - we're down as high consumption when actually we have 7 showers, 1 bath, 7 bowls of washing up, 1 load of washing and that's in during a week.

Have you questioned the water company first?