Is it possible to tap into someone water?

[Twopeapods]

I'll start by saying it's a very old commercial property I rent, walls between shops are very thin. I'm right next to an Indian restaurant which had a major fire last year and had to close as not insured. Anyhoo someone bought the premises and is completely gutting it. New kitchen, toilets etc. My toilet backs onto their kitchen, and my water bill has always been about 70 a month. I checked my bank statement today and I've been charged 260 this month!!! Nothing has changed and my water usage is quite consistent. Is it possible that when the new kitchen was installed in the Indian a few weeks ago they've managed to tap into my water supply?
I can't call them until Monday and it's got me really worried.

Are you on a meter? A leak could have sprung, may be linked to the renovations next door or could be a coincidence.

The work next door could have caused a leak. We had a new mains supply put in from our meter and it caused a leak in next doors supply just from the vibration of drive digging! Old pipes that a bit corroded and worked loose.

There's a basement property underneath so if there was a leak like there has been a few times before, they would come and tell me. Even when there has been leaks the bill has never been like that.
I'm on a meter. I've just remembered though that the water company came and put a new meter in all the properties on the street a few weeks back. Could this make a difference? Or just coincidence?

I'd guarantee a leak near the meter (may not affect the basement flat) or poor calibration of the meter - i.e. they haven't taken into account the new meter details and the new numbers it's recording.

Can you call them tomorrow?

Only reason my neighbours knew was because their readings shot up. Def a problem linked to the new meter by the sounds of it!!!

Will I be able to claim money back if it's a problem with the metre? Could it just be recording wrong? I think they came and done lots of new meters in the street. The bill said 45.7 but my actual reading right now is 1.3.

Have you paid it already then?

You need to talk to them. If they've screwed up, you won't be made to pay. Take photos of the readings today.

Our meter was put in the wrong place, so it was measuring our neighbours use as well as ours.
Water company thought it was not possible but confirmed that our suspicions were right when they came to investigate.

yes it is possible. Locate your meter. Check the meter reading to be sure you have the right one. There will probably be a blue plastic "T" handle next to the meter. Screw it down. This will turn off the water. Pull off the T handle (it is a push fit). Put it in your pocket. Go into your house and verify that your water is turned off. look out for the builders complaining that the water has gone off, and trying to turn it back on. Call your water company and tell them what's happened.

Definitely possible.
In a case I know, the neighbour tapped into the line between meter and house. Always denied it but bill payer finally persuaded the company to turn the water off for a week "for repair" (while he was on holiday).
Neighbour put in a complaint and was busted for interfering with the pipe