Water leaks and pipes

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

If you spot a water leak or a problem with a pipe then the action you need to take will depend on your responsibilities.

You can report a water leak and other problems to Scottish Water by using the online portal.

Water pipes and who’s responsible

Your responsibility for maintaining and repairing water pipes will depend on whether you are the homeowner or if you are renting the property.

There is useful information about who is responsible for water pipes on the Scottish Water website.

Homeowners

If you own your home, you're responsible for all the pipes within the property boundary which join up with the stopcock for the mains pipe. If you have a leak in your pipes, you have to fix it.

If you're in a tenement property where the outer water piping is shared, you all share the responsibility for maintaining the pipes. If there's a leak, you have to share the cost of fixing it, according to the rules in the title deeds or the alternative statutory tenement management scheme rules.

If a leak has caused damage to a neighbour's property, there may be a dispute about who is responsible for the repairs.

If there's a leak in the mains pipes, Scottish Water has to fix it. This is because the mains pipes bringing the supply to your property are the responsibility of Scottish Water up to the boundary with your property.

Tenants

If you're a tenant and there's a water leak from pipes in the property you rent, you have to get the homeowner or landlord to fix it.

If they fail to repair it properly and there's a risk to your health or ability to live in the property, you can contact the water authority.

Most private landlords are legally bound by the repairing standard.

If the water pipes and installations aren't kept in proper repair, the tenant can report the landlord to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber).

If the repairing standard doesn't cover your tenancy, you might be covered by the tolerable standard.

Wasted water

If you don't repair water pipes when there's a leak and you're responsible for the pipes that are leaking, Scottish Water can come and fix any pipes that are accessible, if water is being wasted. Scottish Water will send you the bill for the repair.

If you don't fix a water pipe that you're responsible for and water is being wasted but Scottish Water needs access to fix it, you'll get a warning letter 24 hours before they intend to come.

If you refuse to give Scottish Water access to fix the water pipe, they can get a warrant from a Justice of the Peace to force entry after 24 hours to repair it.

Cold weather problems

In severe winters it's sensible to take precautions to make sure pipes don't burst.

Scottish Water has put together information with steps to save water, save money and protect your home in the winter. You can read about the Winter Wrapped Up campaign on Scottish Water's website.

Burst water mains

If you're affected by burst water mains in the street, from the public supply, you should contact Scottish Water immediately. Keep a note of the calls you make and what happens next.

You can also report a burst mains and other problems to Scottish Water by using the online portal.

If Scottish Water fails to respond to your call and your property is damaged, you can use the complaints procedure.

If there's water running in a public area and you think it's being wasted, you should contact Scottish Water.

If you know water has burst from a private supply, the environmental health department of your local council should be able to help locate the private supply and tell you who to get in touch with.

Insurance for damage from water leaks and burst pipes

Check what insurance cover you have for damage from water leaks. You might have cover included in a maintenance package with a utility like Scottish Gas.

Most buildings insurance policies cover the cost of repairs due to pipes bursting or water leaking. Check the terms and conditions because if you leave a property empty and damage occurs, you might not be covered for this loss.