new water meter.....can they trespass??

ds1980

We have moved home about 3 times a year over the past few years and have water meters installed because we know we're moving.

Our new house we plan to stay in and live at and have had the letter through regarding the new property owner has to have a water meter installed.

We are a young couple and the water meter saves us 100's. I know this sounds daft but now we are staying put i don't want one. Surely these people are not allowed onto my land unless they have a warrant. What happens if i tell them to leave? If all else fails i think the work will need carrying out on my property so ill park the car over the stopcock!

It sounds a bit like the tv licensing people who have no jurisdiction but prey on people thinking they do. Am i wrong?

whatatwit

I'm pretty sure that some water companies have a policy of insisting a meter be fitted when a property changes hands.
I don't think there is anything you can do about it.

Although I do think you are being very hypocritical, you openly admit that you have had meters fitted to save you money....but in effect have imposed the meter on future inhabitants of that property. But now you don't want one, did the property not having a meter influence your decison in purchasing it?

ds1980

it never actually bothered us in the past as we knew we were moving i had no interest as we only paid about £16 for water in our entire stays at the house.

As for inflicting a water meter on someone....I couldn't care less about the next person they are nothing to do with me. I choose what is best for me not for the person who may or may not move into the house next.

pinknfluffy

I moved 5 years ago and had a water meter forced on me, as a property changes hands the water company meter the property as a matter of course. I said what if i don't want a meter, the guy said the stopcock is on the drive/pathway outside your house the land belongs to the council not you and they have the right to change it whether we agree or not.

Its good for the environment i suppose

Magentasue

I don't really get why you don't want one. As a family of six, I wasn't best pleased to find one when we moved this year. But we have ended up paying less than we did on water rates. In a way, I'd prefer rated rather than metered because I'd know it was fixed for the year. If I only had two children, I'd prefer a water meter. It's only since we've had sixf adults/teenagers in the house, our water consumption jumped.

moonrakerz

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Content/infonote46

Cardew

They cannot trespass on your land and you can of course refuse to have a meter if you don't want one.

There are loads of houses in UK(and lots more abroad) that don't have mains water. There are websites that will assist you in finding how to dig a well or if you live near the sea a de-salination plant might be an option!

On the same principle you can refuse to have an electric or gas meter if you wish.

Psykicpup

Cardew wrote: »

They cannot trespass on your land and you can of course refuse to have a meter if you don't want one.

quote]

oh Cardew.... I was about to shout how wrong you were till I read the rest of the post lol