Before you choose a unit or call an installer, check three documents you may already own: your lease or deed, the association rules if you have one, and your homeowner or renter policy. Each one can decide whether an install is simple, requires approval, or creates a problem later. This is a general guide to what to look for, not legal advice.
Read the lease for changes to the home
If you rent, look for language about alterations to plumbing, fixtures, walls, or appliances. Ask the landlord in writing whether a unit may be installed, who removes it at move-out, and who restores the plumbing afterward. Also ask who pays if a repair to the water line is needed because of the install. A verbal yes is hard to rely on, so get the answer on paper.
Check the association rules if you own
Look at the covenants, deed restrictions, or community rules for limits on exterior hookups, outdoor tanks, changes to shared plumbing, and meter work. Ask the association whether an architectural or design review is required before work begins, and ask for the reply in writing. Some associations approve work quickly, while others require a form and a waiting period.
Call your insurer
Ask your insurer whether an installed water unit changes anything about coverage for water damage. Ask whether a leak from a unit installed by a licensed contractor is treated differently from one installed by you or by someone without a license. Request the answer in writing or ask for it to be noted on the policy. A short call now can prevent a dispute after a leak.
Questions to bring to the company
Ask the company whether it installs in rental or association-governed homes, whether it will sign a letter for your landlord or board, and what it requires for removal when the unit is no longer needed. Ask whether the warranty depends on an approved installation location or on the installer following the manufacturer's steps. Get each answer in writing so you can compare companies on the same terms.
When a rule is unclear
If the lease or association language is vague, ask the landlord or board to explain it in writing. For a dispute or an interpretation you cannot resolve, a lawyer who knows local property rules can tell you how the documents apply to your situation.