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Consumer issues
What do I do if I receive publicity information on insurance cover for water supply pipes and leaks? Customers should check their water company's policy on household supply pipe repairs and replacements before signing up to an insurance policy. We do not have any regulatory controls over insurance services that your water company or insurance company may offer. However, you may find the following information useful.Responsibility of supply pipesIn most cases the part of the supply pipe between the boundary of the property and the house belongs to the householder or property owner. You have a responsibility to repair leaks on your pipework. For more information on responsibility of supply pipes please read our Information Note "Responsibility for water and sewerage pipes"Leak detection Most water companies offer a free leak detection and repair service the first time a problem arises. However, they are under not legally obliged to provide this service and may impose their own conditions. Your company will not repair leaks inside your home and will not normally repair a leak under the property. Our 'Security of supply 2006-07 report' summarises the water companies' policies on household supply pipe repairs and replacements. You can refer to your company's code of practice on leakage to see exactly what they offer. This should be published on their website or you can ask them to send you a copy. If you have a leak on your pipework and do not make arrangements to repair it, the water company can issue you with a Waste Water Notice under Section 75 of the Water Industry Act 1991. If you fail to carry out the repair the company can do the work and ask you to pay for it. If your service pipe is found to be in very poor condition, your company might recommend that you should replace it. This would be at your expense. Some companies subsidise the costs of replacing pipes. Most will not carry out repairs that are unduly expensive or where the reinstatement will be costly. Contact details for the water companies are available on our website.  |
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