If you are a renter and discover a leak, please contact your lettings agent or landlord immediately to have it repaired.
Additionally, you must send clear photographic evidence of the leak to Bunch via hello@the-bunch.co.uk, with your address in the subject line. This information will be passed onto the supplier to check if you are eligible for leak allowances.
If you fail to report a leak, you may be over-billed by the water supplier, so it is important you let us know as soon as possible.
Undetected leaks
Leaks can be detected on metered houses by either receiving notice from the water company, getting a large water bill, or receiving large water meter readings. These are all indications that you are being billed for more water than you should be.
How do I prove there is a leak?
Firstly, to prove if there has been a water leak you need to locate your water meter. You should be aware of where this meter is located if you’ve given us meter readings before, but if you are unsure on where to find your water meter read this.
If you think there is a leak in your property, there are two tests that you can do to confirm a leak.
Leak test 1:
Make sure all taps are turned off and that the washing machine and dishwasher are not running.
Go to your meter, take a picture of the meter to record the current reading.
Check if the little dial is moving. If the dial is moving, there is a leak in your property.
Leak test 2: The stopcock test
Find your stopcock and turn it off. This is the master tap that is often found under the sink and turns off all the water from the property. If you are unsure where this is, ask your landlord or letting agent. To turn it off you usually need to turn it clockwise.
You can check your stopcock is off by turning on the kitchen sink cold tap.
This may take a few seconds, but no water should come out after the stopcock is closed.
Go to your water meter, and check if the dial is moving.
If the dial is moving, there is a leak between the meter and the stopcock. If the dial isn’t moving, there is a leak after the stopcock (for example, a leak inside the house).
Turn the kitchen tap off and open the stopcock.
Who is responsible for fixing the leak
If you are renting, it is your landlord or letting agent who is responsible for fixing a leak, whether it is a burst pipe, a leaking tap or toilet. There should be no charge to you. It is important that you contact your landlord or letting agent immediately so they can arrange a plumber or water company to investigate the issue and get the leak repaired.
If you are a homeowner, you are responsible for the cost of any repairs that cause a water leak in your home.
My landlord won’t help. What should I do?
If your landlord is refusing to help and repair the leak, we suggest you contact Citizens Advice to get some help. It is your landlord/letting agent’s responsibility to get the leak fixed, and the longer it takes, the bigger your water bill will be.
Once the leak has been fixed
As soon as your leak has been repaired you must notify us. This is so we can speak to the water company on your behalf to try and reduce the cost of your water bill.
There is no leak
Great! If there is no leak but your water consumption is still high, consider how you’re using water to identify ways you can reduce your water consumption. To find out more on how you can reduce your water usage, read our blog.