Who is responsible for fixing leaks?
Under UK law, tenants are responsible for paying for the water and sewage that passes through their meter, even if the increase in usage is caused by a leak.
However, your landlord is responsible for repairing or replacing any leaking pipes, taps, or internal plumbing within the property. If the leak is due to a fault in the property’s pipework, your landlord must arrange and pay for repairs.
There is some good news — if the leak is genuine and has been repaired, Bunch may be able to apply for a leak allowance from the water supplier to help reduce your bill.
💧 Each day that passes can increase your water usage and bills, so it’s important to investigate possible causes as soon as possible.
Step 1: Check for other possible causes
Before assuming there’s a leak, check whether the higher water use could be explained by something else — for example, more people living in the property, a faulty appliance, or a constantly running toilet.
If usage still seems unusually high, continue to the next steps.
Step 2: Inform your landlord or letting agent
If you suspect a leak, contact your landlord or letting agent straight away. It’s important that they know about the issue, as they are responsible for arranging repairs to the property’s plumbing.
If you rent through a letting agent, let them know — they should pass this information on to the landlord.
Step 3: Ask your landlord to carry out a leak test
A leak test helps identify whether the issue is inside the property or in underground pipework. Your landlord (or their plumber) should carry out the test and arrange for repairs as soon as possible.
They should already know where the stopcock and water meter are located — and you should too, in case of future emergencies.
📘 See also: How to do a leak test and Where is my stopcock?)
Step 4: Keep Bunch informed
If you’re a Bunch customer, please let us know if:
A leak has been confirmed
Repairs are underway
The leak has been fixed
As soon as we receive proof that the leak has been repaired, we can apply to your water supplier for a possible leak allowance to reduce your bill.
If your landlord won’t help
Your landlord is legally responsible for most plumbing and water system repairs in the property. If they refuse to help or delay unreasonably, you have options:
Contact your letting agent if you rent through one.
Get advice from Citizens Advice: Getting repairs done if you’re renting privately.
Contact your local council’s environmental health team, who can act if your landlord isn’t making essential repairs that affect your health or safety.
You can find your local council’s contact details on GOV.UK.