29/01/10
Water UK has welcomed the government itself adding a clause to its Flood and Water Management Bill relating to provision of information on tenants and responsibility for water charges.
The addition labelled 'Water and sewerage charges: non-owner occupiers' picks up a recommendation from the Walker Review that there should be changes to legislation requiring a landlord to provide information on tenants occupying their property. This would help address the growing problem of tenant and leaver debt, thought to account for around 44% of total household water debt (Equifax, 2006).
The Walker recommendation was the result of several tripartite discussions between the Walker team, Water UK and three landlord representatives’ bodies.
The change to the Bill is an enabling clause, with the fine detail requiring regulation. Water UK has already developed this detail through discussions with landlord associations and shared it with Defra.
Water UK briefing for the Committee Stage
Flood & Water Management Bill
Parliament UK website
Contact: Phill Mills
