Leaky toilet do I need to pay?

A question about : Leaky toilet do I need to pay?

I received a letter from Yorkshire water about 5 weeks ago saying my usage had gone up considerably and that they suspected a leak. They have since come out and I have also had a private plumber to investigate and it's actually my toilet that has been leaking in that water has been flowing from the top of the toilet through the hole (sorry don't know the name of it!) to the toilet bowl at the bottom, because it's only a very light trickle I never noticed it! But as it's been continuously flowing for almost a year it's used a lot of water. It will be fixed this weekend and yorkshire water have stopped it flowing for now but will I need to pay? I'm concerned as I've cut my hours following maternity and struggling as it is. I have to pay the plumber Ј75 to fix it ! Yorkshire water said they can't confirm until they have re assessed my usage in the next 28 days now the leak has been stopped . In the meantime they have raised my direct debit by Ј12 a month .

Best answers:

• check if they offer a leakage allowance, some let you claim for internal leaks
• I think if you've used the water then you'll have to pay for it.
• Unless it's covered by their leakage allowance policy, then yes, sorry. It's your toilet that's at fault, so no one else's fault. Not only has the clean water been "used" but the same quantity of water has been put into the sewers for treatment.
  Leakage allowances usually cover leaks, but sometimes may cover a toilet overflow.
• Thanks everyone ! It's been leaking continually for almost a year!! Guess that's my christmas treats down the pan !!
• Did you not hear the cistern continually refilling?