underground water leak

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doubletrouble

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I have noted that I have an underground water leak on the property I am renting. I know I will be responsible for the inflated water payment, but who is responsible for fixing the underground leak? COCT? The landlord? Me?
 
if its inside the house its the landlord that has to fix it. DO you have a water restriction device ? if not you are in trouble because you will get a huge water bill. Is the leak visible ?
I was in a similar situation where the landlord wont accept its a leak and was blaming the meter. Luckily there was a water restriction device so no huge bills. But the 350l allowance used to run out without any use and we used to sit with no water in the house.
I turned off all the taps in the morning took a reading and took another reading when I came back in the evening. Drafted a letter with the images and dropped it at his house making it clear that water is a basic necessity and if not fixed within 2 days will take the matter further and I may withhold the rent and charge him for water purchased along with fuel expenses. Also mentioned rental housing tribunal
He got a plumber and found a massive leak under the bathroom shower.
 
I switch the water off in the mornings. there is a wet patch in the yard which disappeared as soon as I turned off the main tap and returned the evening. I doubt there is a water restricted device. I am not sure. My bill is normally around R500 (2 people) and this month it went to over R1000 thats what lead me to investigate.

I am only staying there 8 months so its really a bummer. The agent said they will send someone out and send me the bill thats why I am asking whos responsibility it is.
 
The agent said they will send u a bill :oops:, tell him its not your problem and house maintenance is the landlords responsibility unless its your fault.
Honestly you are really lucky that the bill just went over 1000. I will strongly suggest that you keep an eye on the water meter.
 
doubletrouble said:
I am still waiting for the new water bill. stressed about that
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why wait, check the meter reading on your last bill and take a fresh reading right now. That should give you a ball park figure of what the water usage is. Use the water rate slab available on the COCT website to calculate the amount.
 
joker08 said:
why wait, check the meter reading on your last bill and take a fresh reading right now. That should give you a ball park figure of what the bill is going to be.
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to be honest I am not too clued up. My meter is difficult to read. I checked city of cape town and it says the black numbers are kiloliters and red numbers are liters. My meter only has black numbers so I guess it only measures the kiloliters.

Last bill which I paid end of feb was for period 19/12/18-23/1/19 (apparently they back date). Actual reading was 2414-2438 (used 24kl) reading this morning was at 2472

Previous months i only use 7-9kl per month
 
thanks for the replies. I will inform the agent that I feel its landlords responsibility and if we cant come to an agreement then the matter should be referred to the rental tribunal
 
That sort of maintenance is definitely not your problem. It should also be covered by the landlords building insurance.
 
It's not your responsibility or the City's. The property owner/landlord is supposed to foot the (plumbing) bill - not you.
 
If you suspect a water leak, get in contact with the landlord to get his insurance out.

The insurance will also refund YOU money for the water leak (if it exits).

Was in that same boat a few years back

Step 1 : Get in contact with the landlord
Step 2 : He should get a plumber out (via his insurance)
Step 3 : Do a water pressure test to see what is leaking (if so)
Step 4 : Get it fixed and get refunded
 
I recently heard that the council will refund part of a leak given evidence of repair?
 
Steamy Tom said:
I recently heard that the council will refund part of a leak given evidence of repair?
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In Tswhane, if it is on the council's side. In my case, it was clearly on their side the issue, but they denied it (I even send in photo's etc). What a bunch of crooks to be honest !
 
zerocool2009 said:
In Tswhane, if it is on the council's side. In my case, it was clearly on their side the issue, but they denied it (I even send in photo's etc). What a bunch of crooks to be honest !
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i heard that in ekurhuleni they will refund part, i.e meaning it is on the owners side as it was billed
 
Steamy Tom said:
i heard that in ekurhuleni they will refund part, i.e meaning it is on the owners side as it was billed
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Awesome !

At a stage I was using 45kL a month ... and couldnt except the big bills any more, got my insurance involved and they helped me pin pointing the issue. :)
 
doubletrouble said:
thanks for the replies. I will inform the agent that I feel its landlords responsibility and if we cant come to an agreement then the matter should be referred to the rental tribunal
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There is no agreement to come to.

The landlord has to fix, and the bill for excess water in relation to the issue is for his account not yours.
 
doubletrouble said:
I have noted that I have an underground water leak on the property I am renting. I know I will be responsible for the inflated water payment, but who is responsible for fixing the underground leak? COCT? The landlord? Me?
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Are you in a sectional title or free standing property?
 
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