Lead Pipes

Other

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System states that “even in areas where water is of low plumbo-solvency, lead pipework should not be present in dwellings”. Government statistics, however, show that there may be up to nine million dwellings in the UK with lead water pipes. Surely it would be a mammoth task to replace all lead piping in dwellings in the UK, which it appears the Government is wanting. Installation of lead pipework and replacement of any existing pipework with lead pipes is prohibited. Local Authorities are responsible for ensuring that dwellings in their area are in a fit and proper condition, and lead pipework could constitute a hazard. You will probably find that your Local Authority will take a reasonable view of this problem, and take into account, among other things, the plumbo-solvency of the water. Under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, a landlord is required to maintain the installations for the supply of water: the regulations do not say anything about replacing these installations if they are of an inappropriate material.