We have had a visit from Thames Water. They have located a leak in the supply and have sent us a letter saying we have to have it fixed within 4 weeks. It will mean digging up our driveway, finding the leak, repairing and re-instating the drive. That’s it! It’s all in our hands to implement. Where do we turn from here? I haven’t a clue what to do. Help please
Maybe get a plumber ??
First of all get them back to specify EXACTLY where the leak is. (they have the gear to listen for underground water movement)
There should be a stop tap just outside your bounday. If the leak is before that the board must fix= if inside your boundary (ie under drive) between the internal stop tap and the one outside the house boundary then your responsibility.
Next if it yours, to fix the water board should do at at a cost. Lookup your house insurance to see if that would cover the cost get a quote from them.
Best to get the board to fix then they can’t come back on you if the job is not done properly . Also you are now working within their time frame not the specified 4 weeks on the letter
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Thank you. I will check the insurance.
why do you have to fix it in 4 weeks?
Annie
Bully tactics
It is only a threatening letter to scare one into action within a certain time limit. Has no legal bearing. The water company would have to do a lot more such as proving non payment or non compliance before they cut off the supply. Even then it would be difficult to inforce in law without further action. think of it this way, cut off a water supply and there is the risk to human health.
Although they have the right to request a water leak prevention they also have to consider the consumer and their situation. Maybe the cost of the repair is too much and the consumer does not have the finances to pay the cost outright. I would have thought they would be able to come up with some payment plan that fits the comsumers finances (ie add cost to each water payment bill. ) Possibly a word with your member of Paliament can help in his situation.
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@AnnieS I don’t know why 4 weeks. Maybe, as suggested, it is scare tactics so that we get the work done.
It is very scary. Just dropped in our laps. Get it done, or you will be fined and charged for the wasted water.
There are no leaks in the house, for sure, so it’s got to be outside. It’s the thought of digging up my beautiful driveway, which has only been laid a few years.
Retirement sure does have it’s rewards! 
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pretty rich of them to use such tactics when they have so many leaks of their own everywhere. Don’t you have a water meter? How is this your fault and not their responsibility?