Plumbing

Water leak after the meter in Brussels: who pays and who repairs it?

Short answer: In Brussels, everything after the water meter, including the joint just after it, is the customer's responsibility: both the repair and the water lost. VIVAQUA looks after the pipework before the meter and the meter itself. In a rented home, who repairs depends on the cause (wear or fault), and if your bill has jumped, VIVAQUA can grant a reduced rate on request, under conditions.

Published on 23 October 2026 · Updated on 23 October 2026

Who pays what: before and after the meter

The dividing line is the meter. VIVAQUA is responsible for the whole installation before the meter and for the meter itself (the joint after the meter excluded); beyond the meter, joint after the meter included, the customer is responsible and should call a plumber.

Who is responsible, depending on where the leak is, in Brussels
Where is the leak?	Who is responsible?	Who to call?
In the street	VIVAQUA	VIVAQUA's intervention service (reachable day and night)
On the service pipe, before the meter	VIVAQUA	VIVAQUA's intervention service
The meter itself	VIVAQUA, except a meter damaged by frost (at the subscriber's expense)	VIVAQUA
The joint just after the meter	The customer	A plumber
Pipes, taps, boiler, toilet cistern, fittings after the meter	The customer (owner or occupant, see below)	A plumber

Source: VIVAQUA's FAQ (Dutch). The intervention service number is on VIVAQUA's website; we do not reproduce it here to avoid any error.

The first steps, in order

If water is running, shut it off first at the stopcock before the meter, then work out which side of the meter the leak is on. This order spares you the most trouble:

Cut the water supply at the stopcock before the meter: VIVAQUA's advice to stop things getting worse.
Do the meter test: note the reading in the evening with no tap open and no machine running, then compare the next morning. A difference points to a leak in your installation (dripping tap, boiler, faulty cistern...).
Check the usual suspects: toilet cistern (does water keep running down the side of the bowl?), the boiler's safety valve, taps.
Before the meter or in the street: call VIVAQUA's intervention service. After the meter: call a plumber.
Keep evidence: before and after photos, the plumber's invoice and report. VIVAQUA accepts them for the leak rate, and your insurer may ask for them.
Tell your insurer, your landlord if you rent, or your managing agent (syndic) in a co-owned building.

To gauge what is at stake: according to the Flemish government portal, a dripping tap loses about 4 litres an hour (35 m³ a year) and a faulty toilet cistern about 25 litres an hour (219 m³ a year). A leak before the meter does not pass through the meter, so it does not show on your reading.

Sources: VIVAQUA, how to spot a leak (French), SWDE (French), Vlaanderen.be (Dutch).

Tenant, landlord, co-ownership: who repairs?

In a rented home in Brussels, the landlord carries out the repairs needed for normal use of the property (wear included), and the tenant handles routine maintenance and any damage they are responsible for. This split is set by the Brussels government and the parties cannot depart from it (Brussels Housing Code, art. 223).

Split in Brussels for a rented home (examples from the Region)
Situation	Borne by
Worn taps, broken waste pipes, any problem due to age or wear	The landlord
Descaling taps, cleaning seals and filters	The tenant
Leak caused by the tenant's own fault (tap left running, their own faulty appliance)	The tenant, usually through their tenant's liability insurance
Leak on a common part of the building (riser pipe, roof, etc.)	The co-ownership, via the managing agent and the collective policy
Leak on the private part of a co-owned flat	The owner of the unit (if it is let, the landlord/tenant split above applies)

Where "common" ends and "private" begins depends on the building's deed and house rules: ask the managing agent for them before ordering any work. As for the water bill, VIVAQUA sends it to the person registered with them; a tenant must report themselves within 15 working days of moving in.

Sources: be.brussels, repair split (French), Assuralia (French), VIVAQUA, tenants (French).

Inflated water bill: VIVAQUA's leak rate

If a leak in your private installation has more than doubled your consumption, VIVAQUA may give you a reduced rate. It applies to the variable part of the bill and does not refund the repair.

Apply within 12 months of the invoice being issued.
The volumes recorded by a VIVAQUA meter must be at least twice your usual consumption.
Within 2 months of your request, prove the leak has been repaired: before/after photos, a professional's invoice or any other evidence. If you cannot, a VIVAQUA employee can carry out an inspection at no charge.
The leak must not stem from a failure to follow VIVAQUA's technical requirements.

How the reduced rate is calculated (VIVAQUA)
Consumption	Volumes charged at
2 to 4 times usual consumption	50% of the rate for volumes above the threshold
More than 4 times usual consumption	10% of the rate for volumes above that threshold

The reduction applies to the price of water and to municipal and regional sanitation. After checking, VIVAQUA applies it within 15 days of receiving the complete request. For the exact calculation base on your own bill, ask VIVAQUA.

Source: VIVAQUA, rates in the event of leaks.

Water-damage insurance: what is and is not covered

Home insurance generally covers damage caused accidentally by water, but not the repair of the pipe or appliance that is leaking. Policies differ: check the excess and the exclusions in yours.

Water damage: covered and not covered, according to Assuralia
Generally covered	Generally not covered
Damage caused accidentally by water to insured property	Damage caused by lack of maintenance or precautions (e.g. frost in an unoccupied second home)
Costs to prevent or limit the loss	Repair of the appliance or pipe that caused the loss (rust-eaten pipe, faulty washing machine)
Opening up and restoring walls, floors, ceilings to locate and fix a concealed pipe	Repair of roofs and terraces through which water got in

For a rented property: the owner's insurance pays for damage to the building, the tenant's for their own belongings. The owner's insurer may claim against the tenant if the tenant was at fault, and the tenant is presumed responsible for damage to the property unless they prove it happened without their fault (Civil Code, art. 1732). Report the loss as soon as possible, with a list of damaged items, photos and quotes. Assuralia does not mention the cost of the water lost: check your policy.

Source: Assuralia, water damage (French).

Wallonia and Flanders: same dividing line, different relief

In all three Regions the meter remains the dividing line; what differs is how you can get your bill reduced. This article targets Brussels; here is how Wallonia and Flanders compare.

Bill relief after a leak, by Region
Region	After the meter	Relief on the water bill
Brussels (VIVAQUA)	Customer responsible	Reduced rate (50%, then 10% of the excess volumes) if consumption has more than doubled; apply within 12 months
Wallonia (SWDE)	Customer responsible	Only for a "hidden leak": 50% of the excess consumption charged on the distribution part, sanitation waived, cap of 2,000 m³. Main conditions: excess of at least 50 m³ and twice the usual, non-return valve and shut-off valve after the meter, repair within 60 days. Leaks from appliances, sanitary fittings or heating are excluded (exception: the boiler safety valve)
Flanders	Customer responsible; in a rental, the landlord repairs	Visible leak: you pay the bill in full. Hidden leak: ask the water company for an amicable settlement ("minnelijke schikking"), at most 50% of the rate for the first 300 m³ lost, 10% beyond

Sources: SWDE, leaks (French), SWDE, responsibility for installations (French), Vlaanderen.be (Dutch), VMM (Dutch). In Brussels, VIVAQUA's text does not distinguish visible from hidden leaks; it speaks of a leak in the private installation.

When to call a plumber, and what to ask for

As soon as the leak is after the meter, a plumber has to deal with it: the longer you wait, the more water is lost and the more damage is done. For a water leak in Brussels, see also our water leak in Brussels page.

Ask for a detailed invoice stating where the leak was and what was repaired: it is proof VIVAQUA accepts and that is useful to your insurer.
Ask for before/after photos of the repair.
For a concealed leak, have any opening of walls or floors spelled out, as insurance may cover the restoration.
Tenants: tell your landlord before non-urgent work, and keep the invoice.

To put the cost of a call-out in context, see our Brussels plumber price guide. FUSE SERVICES has been active since 2025; the number to call is shown at the top of this page.

01 — Questions

Your questions before we arrive

What people in Brussels, Walloon and Flemish Brabant ask before confirming.

Who pays for a water leak after the meter in Brussels?

The customer. Beyond the meter, joint after the meter included, VIVAQUA repairs nothing: you need a plumber. The water lost is billed, with a possible reduction on request. In a rental, the split between tenant and landlord depends on the cause of the leak. Request a quote →

I am a tenant: do I have to pay for the repair?

Not necessarily. In Brussels the landlord repairs what comes from wear or age (worn taps, for example), the tenant handles routine upkeep and their own faults. Tell the landlord in writing and keep photos and invoices. Request a quote →

My water bill has jumped because of a leak: can VIVAQUA help?

Yes, under conditions: consumption at least doubled, request within 12 months of the invoice, proof of repair within 2 months of the request. The excess volumes are then billed at 50% or 10% of the rate. Request a quote →

Does my insurance cover a water leak?

It usually covers damage caused by water and the cost of locating a concealed pipe, but not repairing the faulty pipe or appliance. Report the loss quickly and check the excess and exclusions in your policy. Request a quote →

What if the leak is before the meter?

Then it is VIVAQUA's job, as it is responsible for the installation before the meter. Close the stopcock before the meter and contact its intervention service, reachable day and night. For this part you do not need to pay a plumber: VIVAQUA steps in. Request a quote →

Sources

Need help right now?

FUSE SERVICES operates in Brussels and both Brabants. Call the number shown at the top of this page for a quote.

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