Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: high water bill due to irrigation leak - landlord demands payment from me

  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    cape town
    Posts
    2
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

    high water bill due to irrigation leak - landlord demands payment from me

    hi all

    please help me someone. I have recently moved in a property and the 1st bill was R1173.00 for the 1st bill it was for 14 days. the next bill came thorough and the owner advised there was an error and she will send off a revised bill she later sent a bill for 27 oct 2016-14 dec 2016 R6022. we paid this.
    on the 4th of Jan 2017 she called me with a R15000 bill which she change to R22000 in days. since this was the second bill we realised there is a water leak.
    we tried a meter test in the day and nothing moved. we tried the test at night and lost 1000L of water at night. when we sent her proof she called the leak detectors and they found the irrigation to have leaks . the put a block on the pipes.

    we though all was sorted then a few days ago we found large paddles everywhere. we called her again and she sent plumbers who have been working here from Sunday 12th Jan 2017 - 15th Jan 2017 fixing the leak. she now demands we pay for this water loss !!!

    what do I do??? I am only living here for 4 months. when I asked when last the irrigation was checked I get NO REPLY.

    HELP ............. I am new to the western province and don't know tenants rights well..

  2. #2
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Had enough
    Posts
    3,358
    Thanks
    114
    Thanked 213 Times in 201 Posts
    If u don't own the property u are not responsible for a leak that may have been caused due to natural circumstances . Unless u put the irrigation system in ??

  3. #3
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    314
    Thanks
    26
    Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts
    OUCH!

    This is always a very awkward and frustrating thing to happen in a landlord/tenant situation.

    Water loss was due to the landlords poor infrastructure and you never consumed the water therefore waterbill is for the landlords account. I'm not sure what the law says about this, I'm just applying common sense.

    And that was a bit cheeky of her to expect you to pay.

    Also the landlord should've known there was a leak the moment you got that R6022 (even R1173 is high for 14 days) bill since nobody consumes that much water. So this water loss could've been curtailed if handled sooner.

  4. #4
    Silver Member PlatinumWealth.co.za's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    289
    Thanks
    6
    Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts
    I would advise you to go to the Rental Tribunal immediately something sounds very fishy here.
    The JSE Investment and Finance Forum - PlatinumWealth.co.za
    JSE Investing Chat Group
    Unlock US Netflix

  5. #5
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    There is an irrigation system involved?
    A R6000 water bill for 14 days consumption was considered acceptable?
    Just what sort of property are we talking about here?

    Regardless, like the others I'm inclined to think if the infrastructure is in faulty condition and this was't disclosed to you upfront and incorporated into the terms of the rental agreement, I'm inclined to think all repairs and the consequential costs should reasonably be for the account of the landlord.

  6. #6
    Silver Member PlatinumWealth.co.za's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Cape Town
    Posts
    289
    Thanks
    6
    Thanked 19 Times in 18 Posts
    What happened in the end OP?
    The JSE Investment and Finance Forum - PlatinumWealth.co.za
    JSE Investing Chat Group
    Unlock US Netflix

  7. #7
    New Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    cape town
    Posts
    2
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    hi Dave

    I have got the tribunal involved but due to their current backlog I have not been assisted yet - so the issue remains in limbo.
    today I receive the following email from the landlord:
    Just to let you know we are following up on the possible rebate from the City.

    To date we have not charged any utilities for the month of the first leak; deducted any amounts from your deposit as yet; or charged an extra-ordinary amounts for the second leak.

    We have however explained that it is your responsibility to monitor your daily water usage and notify us immediately should you ascertain any movement when not using water. It is then our responsibility to fix any leaks reported to us timeously. This we have done. Should the City elect not offer a rebate, you will be required to reimburse us for the payment of the water bills.

    Once again I re-iterate it is your responsibility to monitor your usage daily to ensure no excessive bills are run up.
    How can this be possible. I must rebate her for her poor infrastructure? I need to check the meters daily? is this common sense?

    please HELP.

    Mrs N

    Someone please help as this is stressing me and I afraid she will withhold my deposit.

  8. #8
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    To date we have not charged any utilities for the month of the first leak; deducted any amounts from your deposit as yet; or charged an extra-ordinary amounts for the second leak.

    We have however explained that it is your responsibility to monitor your daily water usage and notify us immediately should you ascertain any movement when not using water. It is then our responsibility to fix any leaks reported to us timeously.
    I'm inclined to view that response as fairly encouraging. The implied meaning would seem to be they only intend to hold you accountable for water losses after the date this responsibility was "explained" to you, and even then only if you don't check the water consumption daily to monitor for leaks.

    At first glance, that does not seem overly unreasonable given the history.
    Unless there is some particular reason why this is a problematic chore...

Similar Threads

  1. NUMSA agrees to NEASA demands to end lock-out
    By Justloadit in forum Labour Relations and Legislation Forum
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 14-Jan-15, 08:25 AM
  2. [Question] Water leak increases tenants bill
    By Basment Dweller in forum General Business Forum
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 04-Sep-14, 08:54 AM
  3. Microlenders to blame for wage demands
    By IanF in forum South African Politics Forum
    Replies: 55
    Last Post: 18-Jul-14, 04:26 AM
  4. [Question] Landlord not fixing water leak
    By mother in forum General Regulatory Compliance Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 03-Oct-11, 09:47 AM
  5. Letter of Demands
    By jazz in forum National Credit Act Forum
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-Dec-07, 09:56 PM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •