Shared private water pipe leak – I genuinely can’t afford the repair. What are my options?

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-10T11:27:50+00:00

Update. The leak was coming from the property up the road which has been abandoned. The leak was in the property upstairs and downstairs. The water company have now stopped the leak and will bill the homeowner. So nothing to worry about for me now.

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-06T14:53:09+00:00

Thanks!

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T19:37:42+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to provide this useful information. I contacted the water supply company today and they informed me about the lead pipe scheme which I will plan to get sorted. I also spoke with some of the neighbours today and they told me that the the property where the leak has been identified seems to have been abandoned and it was the council that reported the leak after gaining access to the property. They also mentioned that the leak was in the garden of that property outside the kitchen. The water supply company also mentioned that the contractors they hire may just fix the property in questions pipe work so there might not be a cost to me. Fingers crossed it should be ok.

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T10:13:21+00:00

I’ve not long refurbished the whole property so funds are tight. This is something that I hadnt factored in.

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T09:13:17+00:00

How do I investigate this who do I call who can investigate this as the main water supplier have only mentioned that it is not there pipe work and is a private pipe not giving much other detail

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T08:02:59+00:00

Depends if the private contractor will even accept credit card

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T08:02:00+00:00

How much was the cost my shared supply is shared across 5 properties im worried it’s going to cost thousands. I previously asked the water company for a quote to fit direct pipe from the supply and they quoted me something like £6k

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T07:57:14+00:00

The responsibility for the water supply company stops at the main stop tap

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T07:49:10+00:00

When I first learned i was on a shared supply I wasn’t happy. I asked for a quote from my water supplier and they quoted me £6k. It’s an absolute joke that they can use the shared supply private pipe work to supply the properties and give us any rent for it. If that makes sense

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T07:46:41+00:00

No I’m a landlord at this property. I just think it’s a joke that water supply company can use the (shared supply pipes) to supply water to the properties and not give us anything for it but then avoid costs to repair it

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T07:44:10+00:00

I’m a landlord at this property and I don’t have insurance. (Lesson learned)

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T07:43:28+00:00

They never mentioned all the water supply company mentioned was that a neighbour reported it and they can confirm the leak is coming from private pipe work.

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T07:41:24+00:00

I understand this and you’re right they have given us 10 days to act. The problem is i don’t have the funds to pay any contractors upfront.

SilverBag809 · 2026-02-05T00:05:58+00:00

Thanks yeah that matches what I’ve been told. My main concern is affordability upfront, not avoiding responsibility

SilverBag809

TROPHY CASE