What needs approval and what does not
| Option | Touches plumbing? | Owner approval |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher or countertop filter | No | Not usually needed |
| Faucet-mount filter | Attaches to the faucet | Check your lease |
| Shower filter | Attaches to the shower arm | Check your lease |
| Under-sink filter or reverse osmosis | Yes, cold line and drain; often a new faucet hole | Yes, in writing |
| Whole-home filter or softener | Yes, main line, drain, often power | Yes, in writing; usually the owner's project |
The EPA's WaterSense guide describes these point-of-use and point-of-entry types and the plumbing each one needs.
The approval checklist
- What: the make and model, and a copy of its spec sheet.
- Where: under the kitchen sink, at the main line, or another spot.
- How: who installs it, and whether a countertop or sink hole is needed.
- Who pays: for the equipment, installation, and ongoing filter changes.
- Who maintains: who changes cartridges, on what schedule, and who keeps the records.
- Leaks and damage: who is responsible, and whether the installer carries insurance.
- Move-out: does the system stay with the property, or is it removed and the plumbing restored?
- Access: how the owner or their technician will get in for service.
Why owners often say yes
A properly installed system with a clear maintenance plan can be an easy approval, especially when the owner gets to keep the equipment and the records. Owners usually worry about three things: leaks, holes in surfaces, and equipment nobody maintains after the tenant leaves. Answer those three in writing and the conversation gets simpler.
Know the water first
Before asking for anything, find out what you are dealing with. The CDC notes that renters who do not pay the water bill may not receive the utility's annual water quality report directly, but can look it up online or ask the owner or manager. A free in-home test shows hardness, chlorine or chloramine, and other basics at your actual tap, which helps you choose between a simple filter and a full system. See how to read your water quality report.
A practical path for most renters
- Short lease or no approval: start with a pitcher or countertop filter certified for your goal.
- Longer lease, owner agrees: an under-sink reverse osmosis system such as Living Water's alkaline RO gives you a dedicated drinking-water faucet without touching the main line.
- Owner wants it for the property: a whole-home system becomes the owner's improvement, and the owner should be the one to buy it.
For financing, Living Water works with financing partners and you apply with a credit application; ask the owner who will be the applicant.
https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-01/ws-products-home-water-treatment-guide_v2_508.pdf
https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/about/how-to-read-drinking-water-quality-reports.html
https://www.cdc.gov/drinking-water/prevention/about-choosing-home-water-filters.html
Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist