Updating post from Reddit.
Hello,
I'm moving into a flat soon.
I have spoken to the water company about getting my name on the bills, and making sure that the water supply does not include the downstairs tenant (who has their own entrance, own electricity meter) but lives at the same exact address (no 'A' or 'B' to the house number).
However, the water company said they have no knowledge of the flat being split into 2. And, therefore, can't differentiate between my usage and the downstair's tenant. They therefore want to charge me for both flats and have sent me a bill already before I even moved in.
A water meter was attempted to be installed but could not be due to having a shared supply, according to the water company.
The letting agent and landlord have left me in the dark about any of this.
I have got the water company to fill out a 'C3 form' (Yorkshire Water) which states that the building is split into 2, and for them to ask the letting agent more information about it. The 'acceptance email' about us getting the rental states that "The landlord manages this property and so you will contact them when you have moved in if any issues arise throughout your tenancy" so I'm not sure what part the letting agent will play - but also I have nothing but a name for the landlord as of now.
Any suggestions?
From my own memory, if multiple flats are on a single shared supply which hasn't been properly split according to the Water Retailer, the Landlord (Freeholder) would be responsible for the bill for the building.
The Landlord would then split the bill between both flats and bill you accordingly, in effect, becoming your water supplier.
The Landlord would need to inform the water supplier of the split supply if each flat wants to be billed directly, but each supplier will have their own procedures as to how this is done.
Yes the bill should be in the landlord’s name in this instance, and he then re-charges you presumably 50% of the bill when it comes in. He will have to assume usage is 50/50 as there is no measuring facility.