Just moved in flat, not sure about the water rates!

Cardew

Gingernutmeg wrote: »

We've just moved into a place and the landlord (who incidentally used to work for Thames Water) definitely does not want a meter fitting. We've had nothing but hassle from Thames Water and their contractors - they've even threatened to turn the water off - but as a tenant, I will not take responsibility for any alterations to my landlord's property, especially as I know that the landlord doesn't want this alteration to take place. We (and our landlord) have had to point out a number of times that the house hasn't changed owner, it's just got a new tenant in and they cannot insist on fitting a meter. Thankfully they're leaving us alone now but it's a hassle we don't need. This is in Wilts, btw, if that's any help, we've moved around London for the past four years and we've never had this hassle from Thames Water there.

As stated above the Water Privatisation bill gives the company the right to install a meter on change of account holder; be that tenant or owner.

I had occasion to query this with ofwat, who confirmed that was the case.

Again as stated above, some companies exercise this right, some don't. I have heard that some landlords keep the account in their name for that reason, and the tenant reimburses the landlord.

Thames may have given up in your case because it is too much hassle, but if push came to shove.....they can insist.

In fact in some designated areas the companies have been empowered to force existing owners to have a meter.

milestone_3

Thanks for all the replies.

Before moving into the property, I shared with 2 others and our water rates for a 3 bed flat was about £30 a month- and water was being used all the time.

But in response to saying the £25 is right- I'm not sharing with anyone and is living alone- If there were two of us sharing I wouldn't think to question the £25 rate- but just myself I would've thought it would be just over half of what i paid with 3 of us.

I wouldn't want to upset the landlord, so would probably ask if I could get a meter put in. I didn't realise if you can have one installed you can get it taken away and put back to fix rates.

It's not that I don't want to pay the water rates-All i want to do is pay for what i use. If it works out more one month then my £25 estimate then I know that it's my own doing for using too much! i'm not looking to dodge anything, but I'm not too comfortable with the idea of paying more then what my usage would be and getting it refunded- I'm a bit wary of companies offering refund in this way, as I'd imagine it being an nightmare.

Cazza

The fact you're living on your own doesn't make any difference, the water bill is based on the rateable value of the property. I believe (and this is before my time! ) that orinigally the rateable value of the property was the predecessor to council tax, so it could be that perhaps your 1 and 3 bed flats were only 1 band apart??????

Cardew

milestone wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.

Before moving into the property, I shared with 2 others and our water rates for a 3 bed flat was about £30 a month- and water was being used all the time.

But in response to saying the £25 is right- I'm not sharing with anyone and is living alone- If there were two of us sharing I wouldn't think to question the £25 rate- but just myself I would've thought it would be just over half of what i paid with 3 of us.

I wouldn't want to upset the landlord, so would probably ask if I could get a meter put in. I didn't realise if you can have one installed you can get it taken away and put back to fix rates.

It's not that I don't want to pay the water rates-All i want to do is pay for what i use. If it works out more one month then my £25 estimate then I know that it's my own doing for using too much! i'm not looking to dodge anything, but I'm not too comfortable with the idea of paying more then what my usage would be and getting it refunded- I'm a bit wary of companies offering refund in this way, as I'd imagine it being an nightmare.

As you are not metered the water company can calculate the bill exactly, and in advance.

You look up your Rateable Value(on the bil,l or the Water Company can tell you)and the 2008/2009 tariff for your water company and you will be able to work out to the penny your bill.

It doesn't matter if you run the taps all day or use no water - that is what you pay. 10 people in the flat or just you - same bill.

olly300

Cardew wrote: »

Thanks.

However that is their current policy, and could of course change.

Incidentally how do they know if the account holder is an owner or a tenant? any ideas why not all Thames Water region?

They are trying it in trial areas before rolling it out in the entire region. The old reason I read on their website is that when they upgrade the mains in an area they will put the area in the trial. Gingernutmeg has shown one reason why they are having difficultly another one is the number of older houses and flats (converted or blocks) with shared pipework.

There is no way of Thames Water knowing if an account holder is an owner, tenant or even a guest. They presume that everyone pays water bills even if they move and end up not being responsible for the one in that property. They also state they won't give refunds. (They will if you are clearly entitled to one and threaten to report them to the regulator.)

Cardew

Thames Water will only put a compulsory water meter in on the change of legal owner of a property not on a change of tenant.

olly300 wrote: »

There is no way of Thames Water knowing if an account holder is an owner, tenant or even a guest.

That was exactly my point.

Any water company is entitled to install a meter on change of account holder, be that account holder an owner or tenant.