New House Has Water Meter - Compulsory???

kiwichick

Hi All,

Am after some advice please...............I havejust had some paperworkfrom my solicitor regarding the house we are purchasing. It seems they have a water meter fitted. Does anyone know if I am able to have it removed or am I obliged to keep it? It is with Anglian Water. If I can have it removed do I have to pay for that?

Thanks Guys,
Al.

silvercar

Your stuck with it. If the current owners had it installed in the last year they would have had the option to go back to a rateable value charging system if they weren't happy. You don't have that option, if you buy a property with a water meter your stuck with it.

If you live in a compulsary water metering area then they would have fitted a water meter soon after completion in any case.

sarah_elton

I didn't know that - am shocked!

I've been on rateable value while renting, and sure it's cost me more than it should (1 person in a 2-bed flat), but was only for a year so didn't bother changing.

The flat I'm buying is the same size, and currently on rateable value. Been thinking about changing it to meter, but didn't realise it was irreversible after the first year, or that subsequent people in there wouldn't then have a choice.

So you can switch to meter but not the other way basically?

cattie

If you're living on your own, or just as a couple with no children, you will probably find a water meter much cheaper.

When I moved I was amazed at how low my metered water costs were compared to the rateable charges in my last house.

Rave

sarah_elton wrote:

So you can switch to meter but not the other way basically?

Kind of. You can switch to a meter, and then decide that you don't like it, and go back to an RV calculation. However, when you sell your house, the next occupier will have to pay the meter rates.

terrierlady

all new build homes will be on water meters which many people are unaware of, no choice for this, however this looks like a previously used home.

kiwichick

Thanks for all the replies. I've spoken with Anglian Water and they confirm what you've said, I cant have it removed. They've done some calcs and reckon it will cost me an extra £10 per month.

Personally I think it will be more as there are 5 of us, they washing machine is on every day, baths every other day(shared). Summertime they play in the paddling pool etc, not to mention the number of times a 3 year old flushes the loo in a day :rolleyes: .
Time to do some research into water saving.ie.save a flush bags, water butts etc.

postingalwaysposting

kiwi, here is a simple one, fill a bottle with water and put it into your toliet systern (sp?) then when you flush your toliet it only uses half the water

eileenfromplaistow

According to Martin's chart, we should now change to a meter. However, it is a large 4 bed house, so with an eye to future resale, I decided to stay with the rates. My sister never stops moaning about her water meter, as she is constantly trying to conserve the stuff! She moved into a house with the meter already installed.
I do believe though that water metering will have to become compulsory sometime.

ceebee_2

Considering 'Water Rates' in general, did you know that if your surface (rain) water does not go into the sewerage drain, i.e. it is fed to soakaways, you can claim a Sewerage Abatement rebate from the water company. Mine is currently £17 p.a. Not a big sum but it all helps.