£1000 water bill in one month, being forced to pay for it and not the landlord. what

I share a house with 3 other students. My room is connected to an ensuite. During a 4 week holiday when I was not in the house my toilet was leaking, and the water usage was very high. I was not in the house to notice the leak, and therefore could not report it to anyone. The water bill came back and my housemates are asking for me to pay for it. This is 1000 pounds and my family cannot afford this, and I don't understand how this is my responsibility because it was the fault of the toilet (which is not mine) and not of my own negligence as If I had noticed it I would have reported it. Surely the landlord should pay as it is his toilet and to this day it has problems? What should I do?

Reply 1

stifle

Who normally pays the water bills?

Reply 2

starrystudy

Original post by stifle

Who normally pays the water bills?

The housemates and I

Reply 3

SomeonesDad

Does the water company know it was a leak?
Does the landlord know there was a leak?
Have you or the housemates previously reported the problems to the landlord and what was their response?

Speak to Shelter/Citizen's Advice