NSW Tenant Hit water meter. LL insurance or tenant or us? who pays.

Hey guys one of my tenants had run over the water-meter .
The pipe is bent and sprung a leak.

I have Landlords insurance but my PM said they dont normally run over the water meter.


Tenants refusing to pay saying it wasn't them.

Any experiences in this field?

 

It can be dependent on which side of the water mater the pipe is damaged. If between the meter and the mains it is usually the responsibility of the water company. Between the meter and the property - your responsibility.

 

This is incorrect for Sydney Water. Not sure about other areas and water service providers.

The below diagram from Sydney Water's website clearly shows who is responsible for what.



So, unless the pipe right next to the water meter is cracked, it's not Sydney Water's responsibility.

@Illusivedreams ... If you are certain that the tenants ran over the meter and caused the leak, then it is the tenants who pay for the cost of repair.

The above diagram is also very useful to ascertain who pays for concealed leaks at a property - especially the ones that are between the water meter and the street. In times gone by, anything between the meter and the street was Sydney Water's responsibility.. and a lot of people still have this belief which, as shown above, is now a false urban myth.

 

You said it was them, but they deny it? What's up with that contradiction?

 

The water meter is inside the properties front yard not far from the driveway. The pipe is bent and water meter is now touching the ground. Used to face up and pipe straight.

We had a plumber come out and he said without question some one drove over it.
The PM approached tennant. We are here now.

 

Sounds pretty clear that the tenants have run over the water meter.. and sounds like they like telling little porky pies as well.

 

Friend of tenant - and didn't say anything? Delivery truck?

As far as I am aware what I wrote is correct in Canberra. Unsure of how you deal with digging up your water supply on public/other peoples land to effect repairs as these sorts of repairs are urgent and I don't think they originally had a shutoff at the main when I lived in Sydney - usually they shut off the supply by freezing the pipe.

 

Yes, could be those cases too... which still mean they fall under the tenant's responsibility as tenants are responsible for the actions of their visitors etc.

 

Someone driving over it isn't the same as the tenants running over it.

You could have some issues making the tenants liable here.

 

If you can prove it was the tenants, or they admit it, charge the tenants.
Otherwise landlord pays.
Check with the water authority though - sometimes they replace meters at no cost. Might be worth doing this first as you then might not have to bother with the above steps.