Shared water supply with neighbour goes through my kitchen

[j055]

I bought a Victorian terraced house about 5 months ago. I had a home
buyers report done and received the usual property details from the
vendor's solicitor. I've just found out that I share my water
supply with my next door neighbour. In fact the supply comes in from
the road under my house all the way to the kitchen where it joins a
stop cock. It then links to all my plumbing (boiler, washing machine,
sinks etc.) before climbing up the wall, crossing the bathroom door
and finally into a lead pipe which disappears in to the party wall.

I am able to turn off my neighbour's supply using a 90 degree tap
next to my boiler which I did thinking it was the gas supply. I was
surprised when my neighbour knocked on the door soon afterwards to say
his water had been cut.

Ideally I'd prefer the neighbour to get a supply put in which comes
direct from the mains. It would stop the pressure dropping when we both
happen to use the water at the same time and it would allow me refit my
kitchen without having to worry about my neighbour's supply.

Can someone tell me where I stand here and who I should contact first?
The home buyers report doesn't mention this at all. Doesn't it seem
reasonable that they should have mentioned it?

I'm worried about contacting the water company because they'll
probably say it's my responsibility and I'll have to pay the costs
if I disconnect next door (which I wouldn't do without plenty of
notice anyway). What happens if I wanted to be put on a water meter?

My neighbour has just moved in and rents the property. I don't
imagine his landlord is going to want to shell out for a new water
supply. What should I do next?

Thanks
Andrew

[Chris Street]

Post by j055
I bought a Victorian terraced house about 5 months ago. I had a home
buyers report done and received the usual property details from the
vendor's solicitor. I've just found out that I share my water
supply with my next door neighbour. In fact the supply comes in from
the road under my house all the way to the kitchen where it joins a
stop cock. It then links to all my plumbing (boiler, washing machine,
sinks etc.) before climbing up the wall, crossing the bathroom door
and finally into a lead pipe which disappears in to the party wall.
I am able to turn off my neighbour's supply using a 90 degree tap
next to my boiler which I did thinking it was the gas supply. I was
surprised when my neighbour knocked on the door soon afterwards to say
his water had been cut.
Ideally I'd prefer the neighbour to get a supply put in which comes
direct from the mains. It would stop the pressure dropping when we both
happen to use the water at the same time and it would allow me refit my
kitchen without having to worry about my neighbour's supply.
Can someone tell me where I stand here and who I should contact first?
The home buyers report doesn't mention this at all. Doesn't it seem
reasonable that they should have mentioned it?
I'm worried about contacting the water company because they'll
probably say it's my responsibility and I'll have to pay the costs
if I disconnect next door (which I wouldn't do without plenty of
notice anyway). What happens if I wanted to be put on a water meter?
My neighbour has just moved in and rents the property. I don't
imagine his landlord is going to want to shell out for a new water
supply. What should I do next?
Thanks
Andrew

Stick a meter on it and bill him....? After all the water board don't
appear to be supplying his property at all, and if they argue that they do
then charge the water board rental for having their pipe in your
kitchen....

[tim (moved to sweden)]

Post by Chris Street

Post by j055
I bought a Victorian terraced house about 5 months ago. I had a home
buyers report done and received the usual property details from the
vendor's solicitor. I've just found out that I share my water
supply with my next door neighbour. In fact the supply comes in from
the road under my house all the way to the kitchen where it joins a
stop cock. It then links to all my plumbing (boiler, washing machine,
sinks etc.) before climbing up the wall, crossing the bathroom door
and finally into a lead pipe which disappears in to the party wall.
I am able to turn off my neighbour's supply using a 90 degree tap
next to my boiler which I did thinking it was the gas supply. I was
surprised when my neighbour knocked on the door soon afterwards to say
his water had been cut.
Ideally I'd prefer the neighbour to get a supply put in which comes
direct from the mains. It would stop the pressure dropping when we both
happen to use the water at the same time and it would allow me refit my
kitchen without having to worry about my neighbour's supply.
Can someone tell me where I stand here and who I should contact first?
The home buyers report doesn't mention this at all. Doesn't it seem
reasonable that they should have mentioned it?
I'm worried about contacting the water company because they'll
probably say it's my responsibility and I'll have to pay the costs
if I disconnect next door (which I wouldn't do without plenty of
notice anyway). What happens if I wanted to be put on a water meter?
My neighbour has just moved in and rents the property. I don't
imagine his landlord is going to want to shell out for a new water
supply. What should I do next?
Thanks
Andrew

Stick a meter on it and bill him....? After all the water board don't
appear to be supplying his property at all, and if they argue that they do
then charge the water board rental for having their pipe in your
kitchen....

I wonder if you have considered the legal position here?

Hint, this scenario is not at all uncommon, especially with converted
flats. I suspect that there are some laws somewhere that cover it
(don't know what there are though).

tim

[Adrian Boliston]

Post by Chris Street
Stick a meter on it and bill him....? After all the water board don't
appear to be supplying his property at all, and if they argue that they do
then charge the water board rental for having their pipe in your
kitchen....

In the same way that BT have a legal obligation to supply each household
with a line, isn't it the same with the water board?

[j055]

Ofwat have a few things to say about it.

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Content/shared-supply-pipes
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Content/waterandseweragepipes

But I'm not really sharing my supply equally with my neighbour am I? I
appear to be responsible for all of the water supply up to my
neighbour's kitchen?

[Peter Crosland]

Post by j055
Can someone tell me where I stand here and who I should contact first?
The home buyers report doesn't mention this at all. Doesn't it seem
reasonable that they should have mentioned it?

A home buyers report is a brief survey to look for any major defects and to
see that the value is sufficient for the size of mortgage. It does not cover
such detail.

Post by j055
I'm worried about contacting the water company because they'll
probably say it's my responsibility and I'll have to pay the costs
if I disconnect next door (which I wouldn't do without plenty of
notice anyway). What happens if I wanted to be put on a water meter?
My neighbour has just moved in and rents the property. I don't
imagine his landlord is going to want to shell out for a new water
supply. What should I do next?

It would be worth looking at your deeds or land registry entry to see it is
mentioned. I can't see you have any right to meter the water since it merely
passes through the pipes and you do not pay for the neighbours supply. The
bottom line is that if you want it removed then you are going to have to
pay.

Peter Crosland

[i***@hotmail.com]

I am in a similar position. I live in a conversion and water pipes run
through my property (attached to wall) to the ground floor flat. I can
also turn off the water flow. I assume as these pipes are part of my
demise I own them. There is nothing in my lease that states otherwise.
Would that be the case? If I do own them - can I do what I like with
them - ie move them, turn them off etc?

[j055]

Post by Peter Crosland
It would be worth looking at your deeds or land registry entry to see it is
mentioned. I can't see you have any right to meter the water since it merely
passes through the pipes and you do not pay for the neighbours supply. The
bottom line is that if you want it removed then you are going to have to
pay.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs says "From 1 April
2000 you will also have the right to pay a metered water charge for
your home if you wish. You can ask your water company to install a
water meter free of charge."

It is probably cheaper for me to have a water meter based on my current
usage. So I could argue that I'm paying extra for the privilege of
supplying next door too. Isn't it technically my neighbour's
responsibility to get their own water supply from the water company?

[Jackie Green]

Post by j055

Post by Peter Crosland
It would be worth looking at your deeds or land registry entry to
see it is mentioned. I can't see you have any right to meter the
water since it merely passes through the pipes and you do not pay
for the neighbours supply. The bottom line is that if you want it
removed then you are going to have to pay.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs says "From 1
April 2000 you will also have the right to pay a metered water charge
for your home if you wish. You can ask your water company to install a
water meter free of charge."
It is probably cheaper for me to have a water meter based on my
current usage. So I could argue that I'm paying extra for the
privilege of supplying next door too. Isn't it technically my
neighbour's responsibility to get their own water supply from the
water company?

"Ofwat requires all companies to fit meters free of charge unless the
location or pipework makes it impracticable or uneconomic for the company to
do so.

If for instance pipework has to be moved or split to serve your property
alone, the company can advise you what needs to be done. Your company may
agree to carry out the work but may make charges to do the alterations or
ask you to have the work done before it fits a meter. "
http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Content/cannothaveameterfitted
from

[i***@hotmail.com]

Do you own the pipes? Are they part of your demise? I would insist that
it is the responsibility of the neighbour to get their own supply. In
the situation that you may be away from the property for a period more
than 30 days your insurance company may require that in order not to
invalidate/restrict your policy, water supplies for example, should be
turned off. If you were to do so your neighbours supply would be cut.
Correct? You could advise your neighbours that this is the case and to
prevent a situation arising that they should have their own
installed...as you have been thinking seriously of taking that lengthy
trip through South America!

[joe]

Post by j055

Post by Peter Crosland
It would be worth looking at your deeds or land registry entry to
see it is mentioned. I can't see you have any right to meter the
water since it merely passes through the pipes and you do not pay
for the neighbours supply. The bottom line is that if you want it
removed then you are going to have to pay.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs says "From 1
April 2000 you will also have the right to pay a metered water charge
for your home if you wish. You can ask your water company to install a
water meter free of charge."
It is probably cheaper for me to have a water meter based on my
current usage. So I could argue that I'm paying extra for the
privilege of supplying next door too. Isn't it technically my
neighbour's responsibility to get their own water supply from the
water company?

You are not allowed to stop yur neighbours supply, but if you ask the
water authority for a single supply and a meter, they should oblige.
Certainly the first thing to do is to ask them.
The water authority gave me a seperate supply when I asked them. I also
told them I was digging up the whole area and would not be responsible
for damage of other peoples supply. Whether the last had anything to do
with their decision, I very much doubt.

[Dave {Reply Address in.sig}]

Post by j055
I'm worried about contacting the water company because they'll
probably say it's my responsibility and I'll have to pay the costs
if I disconnect next door (which I wouldn't do without plenty of
notice anyway). What happens if I wanted to be put on a water meter?
My neighbour has just moved in and rents the property. I don't
imagine his landlord is going to want to shell out for a new water
supply. What should I do next?

Unless they've changed the rules again, you can ask for a meter to be
installed and can then revert to your previous billing method within twelve
months if you prefer it. So one tack is to contact the water company and
tell them you'd like a meter but... They may decide to go install two
separate supplies and fit meters to both so that next time the properties
change ownership they can start billing by meter. (That's their incentive
for fitting one even if you revert to rateable value billing - the next
people are stuck with metered water). If there are lead pipes in the
circuit then there may be other reasons for getting the supply modified,
especially if you're in a soft water area.

Dave