I live in a rental and we currently have a great deal for our area in California. We probably pay 30% below market value, minimum. We have shared laundry right outside in an outdoor laundry room. We kind of have a hookup in our garage but it needs some plumbing work to make it work. (It needs the water hooked up etc). We want to have a plumber come and do the work, but, I don’t think my landlord wants us to do it. My landlord is very hands off and the managers are hard to get through to. I emailed them and tried to call them. What’s the worst that can happen if we just do the work? I don’t really want to rock the boat bc we have such a good deal on a great place. Also note, the water valve is shared between all 4 townhouses/apartments. Any advice?

First place to check would be your lease

They finally got back to me that they wont approve the work even if we pay for it because of the water bill.

Maybe offer to put a meter on it? I used to live in a basement apartment where there was a separate unofficial gas meter for my usage. I would read my landlord the number and he would prorate the bill. (My second month, I thought I read it wrong because it was lower, until my landlord reassured me that the genius who installed it put it in backwards 🤦‍♂️)