Leak allowance: getting money back after a water leak
Many water companies will reduce your bill for water lost through a leak once it has been repaired. The rules vary between companies, but you usually need a water meter, a quick repair and proof that it was fixed.
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Conditions checked against published water company schemes on 25 September 2026. Always read your own company’s rules.
What a leak allowance is
A leak allowance is a reduction on a metered bill for water that escaped through a leak you have had repaired. Your water company works out how much you would normally have used, compares it with what went through the meter, and takes off some or all of the difference.
It is a reduction in your bill. It does not pay for the repair or for any damage, which is a question for your home insurer.
Who usually qualifies
You have a water meter
Unmetered bills do not change with use, so there is nothing to reduce.
It was a genuine leak
Water escaping from a pipe. Extra use at home, such as filling a pool or watering the garden, does not count.
You had it repaired quickly
Companies set a deadline from when you knew about the leak. The ones we checked ranged from about four weeks to 30 days.
You claim in time
There is usually a deadline for the claim too. Some give three months from the repair, others longer.
You have not claimed before
Many companies limit how often an allowance can be paid at the same property, sometimes to once.
What your water company is likely to ask for
Enough to show the leak was real, was fixed, and that your use went back to normal afterwards. Expect some or all of these:
- proof of the repair, such as the invoice from the plumber or leak engineer;
- a meter reading taken straight after the repair, and another about two weeks later;
- when the leak was found and when it was fixed;
- where it was, for example on the underground supply pipe or inside the house.
Keep photos of the meter readings with the dates. They cost nothing and make the claim easy to check.
Leaks that often do not count
Most schemes are written for leaks on pipes. These are often left out:
- dripping taps, toilet cisterns and overflows, which many companies treat as fittings you should fix;
- a leak you knew about and left;
- damage done on purpose, or through neglect;
- higher use that was not a leak at all.
If your company says no, ask it to explain which rule applies. CCW, the consumer body for water, can help if you think a decision is wrong.
How to claim, step by step
Confirm it is a leak
Do a meter test with everything switched off. If the numbers move, water is escaping.
Get it found and repaired
Act quickly, because the clock usually starts when you knew about it. Keep the invoice and a note of the dates.
Read the meter after the repair
Take a reading straight away and another about two weeks later, with photos.
Find your company’s form
Your water company’s name is on your bill. Search for it with the words leak allowance.
Send the claim in time
Include the invoice, the readings and the dates, and keep a copy of what you send.
Get the leak found and fixed first
An allowance only follows a repair. ADI Leak Detection can trace a hidden leak, usually repair it on the same day where they can, and put what they found and fixed in writing for you.
ADI Leak Detection traces hidden leaks on water pipes with tracer gas, acoustic listening and thermal imaging. Their methods are chosen to avoid damage wherever possible, and they usually repair the leak on the same day where they can.
- 25 engineers
- Around 5,000 jobs a year
- England, Scotland and Wales
- Rated 4.7 on Trustpilot
ADI figures September 2026. Trustpilot 1,624 reviews, checked 25 September 2026.
Questions about leak allowances
Can you claim money back from a water leak?
Often, if you are on a meter and the leak was repaired promptly. The allowance reduces your water bill. For damage to your home, talk to your insurer.
How much water is considered a leak?
Any water escaping after your meter that nobody is using. Water companies judge a claim by comparing the bill with your normal use before the leak, so keep your old bills.
Does it cover a dripping tap or a running toilet?
Often not. Many schemes only cover leaks on pipes, so check your company’s rules before you claim.
I rent my home. Who claims?
Whoever pays the water bill makes the claim, but the repair is usually the landlord’s job. Tell your landlord or letting agent as soon as you suspect a leak.
Will the water company find the leak for me?
Some water companies will check whether a leak is on their side of the boundary or yours, and some help with supply pipe repairs, so ask yours first. For a leak on your property that you cannot find, you need a leak detection specialist.