Compensation for gas used to heat up water during unknown leak- Who's responsibility?

Do you actually know that it was attributable to the water leak? Is that assumption or has that been checked and fixed in addition the the water leak being fixed?

If the water leak was on your side of the water meter, which it sounds like it was, then I suspect that any gas leakage attributable to damage caused by the water leak will be something that you and your insurers have to argue about amongst yourselves.

A very good point by @MCH59. @JanCan please ensure you have taken precautions to determine if there is a gas leak, and that it is no longer an issue:

Gas emergency

If you can smell gas or think you have a gas leak: 

• Do open doors and windows to let the gas escape
• Do check your gas appliances are switched off
• Do call the 24 hour National Gas Emergency hotline on 0800 111 999
• Do turn your gas off at the isolation switch (if you know where it is), then wait outside, and let your neighbours know.
• Don't switch lights on or off, use doorbells, mobile phones or use any electrical switches.
• Don't smoke, light a match or use any other kind of naked flame.
• Don't go back into your home until you’ve got the all-clear.

If you're worried fumes containing carbon monoxide are escaping from a gas appliance, call the 24 hour National Gas Emergency hotline on 0800 111 999. For further information about gas safety in the home check out our guide here. 

If your gas meter is faulty and causing high readings, you would not be expected to pay for the incorrect volume of gas usage being implied. More info here:

• I think my meter is clocking too fast - How can I test if my high usage is due to a faulty meter?

 If on the other hand excessive gas usage has been caused from beyond the meter, it’s not something your energy supplier is responsible for managing or adjusting for. You may want to get support from Citizens Advice on your options with regards to insurance or compensation. 

Thanks for the replies.

@MCH59

Based on the timeline on our account showing the monthly gas usage, the absurdly high usage correlates directly to the timing of the water leak. As soon as the leak was fixed, the gas consumption went back to our average use. Our gas engineer, who was also the plumber fixing the leak, says that the size of the water leak we had would definitely cause the boiler to run nonstop trying to heat that water.

It just seems a bit unfair that we’d have to pay for that loss of gas and was hoping some sort of adjustment could be made if we had enough proof. So am I to take it that there’s no way for this to happen, even with enough proof of the situation?

Afraid not - the gas was used and wasn’t the result of a meter fault, so OVO has to cover the costs of supplying that and isn’t liable to issue a refund.

Your insurance company might cover it though - check your policy documents.

The gas usage is very real and the problem is beyond OVO’s control - and, by the sounds of it, the water leak was on your side of the meter and therefore your responsibility - so unless it is a rental property, the only option I see is for you to speak to your insurance about it … or, if it is a new build property, the builder / warranty provider if you feel there is a potential warranty claim.

Sorry.

We’re renting, so unfortunately no insurance coverage I don’t think. The landlord took care of everything regarding the burst water pipe, so no issues there.

I was just wondering if this type of situation would allow a balance readjustment, and I guess the answer is sadly, no. 

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

You can still get Contents Insurance if you rent - and that sometimes covers these situations. It may be worth considering as some of those policies also cover Tenant Liability - which is something that many tenants and landlords can mutually benefit from.

Hi @JanCan

I agree with the feedback on other posts. 

The one thing I would add is that I think SSE and depending on timing, OVO, we're also potentially neglegent in not coming out to investigate the meter at some stage given the very high readings or giving you the good advice from @Tim_OVO in his post above about leaks etc. Obviously I don't know what SSE and OVO told you to do. Being negligent doesn't necessarily mean OVO are on the hook for the costs in full or in part, but what they said is very important in terms of safety. 

What did SSE and OVO advise you to do when you contacted them initially and monthly? Is any of this in writing or have you a record of when you called them in case the calls were recorded?

If you feel strongly about OVOs handling of the situation in particular you could put in a complaint. 

Clearly I don't know what they said to you, if you feel sse/ovo could have handled the situation better, and how they might respond, especially as others have highlighted it wasn't a problem with the meter. 

https://www.ovoenergy.com/feedback

Separately, as suggested by @Tim_OVO it would be interesting to see what Citizens Advice say about the situation. For example is the landlord in any way responsible as the cost of the gas is directly due to the water. I suspect it is complicated due to the timing and it will also depend on your current and future relationship with your landlord. 

@MCH59 

thanks for this advice!

We do everything regarding house repairs and whatnot through the real estate agent, so we’ve never had direct contact with the landlord. I can’t say for sure that it was repaired without any complaints or anger against us, but as it was a pipe outside and underground, I assume they reasonably understood it was a property fault.

I will talk with Citizens Advice and see what they say! Thanks!

You are welcome. @JanCan. From what you have said, I actually think you have a solid claim against the landlord, so I hope it all works out 😉

@JanCan

For reference, this is the section of legislation that I think applies to your situation:  

Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, Section 11

It places an absolute and non-excludable obligation upon landlords in all short-lease tenancy agreements (ie less than 7 years and includes  both tenancies where the tenant has no fixed term agreement - but rents the property on a weekly or monthly basis - AND fixed term tenancies of less than 7 years).

@JanCan 

Please let us know what Citizens Advice tell you.