Water Meter-6 months to install!

Scousebird_2

Hey,

I moved into a newbuild apartment in September last year and the day I moved in, I informed United Utilities that I was residing in the property and can I transfer my old water account over. They said I could...but because I was in a newbuild I HAD to have a meter installed as there is no Ratable Value applied and a meter was the only way to bill.

I was quite happy with that and gave all the details. I heard nothing for about 2 weeks so I called again and they said the property wasn't registered so more waiting. I called a 3rd time and was told the same thing again a few weeks later....so I kept calling and calling and calling. In December I got a date for a visit and the engineer came out (there is a cellar downstairs in my apartment complex and I was told I didn't need to be in), the engineer left me a message and then went away again. So I called to arrange another appointment and they said they would send me a letter. And I kept waiting. Then I called again and they allocated me a date.

So this is 5 months on-I finally had enough and complained to UU that I just wanted to pay them some money as at the end of the say-I don't want to be hit with a massive bloody bill......and I still don't have my meter.

Someone from their complaints dept did call me and said I could ask for an ''allowance'' reduction due to the 6 months I have been waiting. Does anyone know how this works?

It really is silly though....I am trying to give THEM money!!

Cardew

I cannot see how a 'new build' could have been built without a meter - got planning permission. All dwellings must have a meter.

How has the water been billed during construction, and during your occupancy?

bluewire

Quite a large chunk of the fault lies with the builder as they should have ensured that all properties had a meter installed before they allowed anyone to move in. (Your solicitor should have also checked that everything was ok) It is their responsibility to ensure that all services are installed and correct.

However not very good from the UU side either, I don't think that it is as simple a request to arrange a meter install at a new build (no existing account to log the job on etc) however they should have done much better than this.

I am sure that one day you will be able to give them some of your hard earned money like they will soon start to demand

deanos

Cardew wrote: »

I cannot see how a 'new build' could have been built without a meter - got planning permission. All dwellings must have a meter.

How has the water been billed during construction, and during your occupancy?

Its not uncommon for newbuilds to have meters missing and are occupied

Somniac

If the new build is a flat on the site of a former house then it is not in their interest to install a meter as in the meantime they can sock every flat with a bill for the amount that applied to the house.

Cardew

Somniac wrote: »

If the new build is a flat on the site of a former house then it is not in their interest to install a meter as in the meantime they can sock every flat with a bill for the amount that applied to the house.

Exactly!

That provides occupants with an incentive to get a meter fitted.

The whole process of assessing water charges on the Rateable Value is, and always was, a nonsense. Particularly as the RV often bore no relationship to value of the property, or took into consideration the number of occupants.

However to be fair to the Water companies(not something I like to do!) what other method can they use to assess charges for a conversion to flats other than insist upon a meter - which they should do!!

There is no mechanism to re-assess RV - it was the responsibilty of the Council.