Water leak at my French second home
I returned to my second home to find there had been a massive water leak. Am I liable for the resulting big bill?
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There is a law limiting large bills due to leaks and it applies whether or not the property was occupied at the time of the leak – and so it covers second homes.
As soon as a water supplier notices a sudden, unexpected increase in the volume of water used by a household, it must inform the owner.
The likely cause would be a leaking pipe at the property.
If the householder carries out the necessary repairs within a month, they will not have to pay the full invoice for water lost.
Liability is limited to a maximum of twice the average consumption for the property over the period.
The householder must submit, by registered letter, a certificate from a plumber indicating that the leak has been located and repaired within a month. You can find a template letter at tinyurl.com/yypo4gte.
If no leak is discovered, you should ask, also within one month of notification, for the firm to check the meter (compteur).
If a problem is found, you will not pay the additional part of the bill, otherwise it is payable, plus a charge for the checks.
Partly due to this, consumer associations often advise against taking out an assurance fuite d’eau – water leak insurance – which is offered as an option in many home insurance contracts.
It partly pays for the extra water bill, plus having a plumber to do the repairs.
It is not obligatory and not having it can save around €70/year.
Consumer associations claim it is unlikely to be good value for money.
More Q&A in our Second home in France guide – for more information and to place an order, please see here
