buffalo747
08-02-2011, 09:48 AM
I've just picked up that Thames Water are giving a 6 week amnesty which expires early March to those who have split a property into self contained units without disclosing and not receiving separate billing.....after this period they will be entitled to back date non payment for up to 6 years if found out!!....this will also apply to new build which has taped onto the main including a self contained annexe.
I have two properties, both of which I extended/converted (one twenty years ago, the other five) into 4 separate one and two bed units and pay one bill for each ( as if the original house) which I split between the tenants equally by including it in their rent.
It looks as if I'll have to inform Thames Water and my tenants of the situation and deduct the tenants proportion accordingly from their rent which will mean direct billing to them at greater expense.
My argument if you like is that the flats are mainly tenanted by single people and as such the usage of water is no more than a family occupying a three bed semi which is the rate I'm paying for at present but doubt very much if any notice will be taken of that.
Another concern is whether Thames Water can insist each flat has a separate supply from the mains....at present each unit is taped off from the original 15mm service pipe.
Anyone else had experience of this?
Bill
I have two properties, both of which I extended/converted (one twenty years ago, the other five) into 4 separate one and two bed units and pay one bill for each ( as if the original house) which I split between the tenants equally by including it in their rent.
It looks as if I'll have to inform Thames Water and my tenants of the situation and deduct the tenants proportion accordingly from their rent which will mean direct billing to them at greater expense.
My argument if you like is that the flats are mainly tenanted by single people and as such the usage of water is no more than a family occupying a three bed semi which is the rate I'm paying for at present but doubt very much if any notice will be taken of that.
Another concern is whether Thames Water can insist each flat has a separate supply from the mains....at present each unit is taped off from the original 15mm service pipe.
Anyone else had experience of this?
Bill