New build - water meter + new house haggling

Fire_Fox

3KIDSNOMONEY wrote: »

hi, thanks for the replies. After looking i think that our bill would double. Get WFTC so going to look into that. We try not to waste water but it is hard to 'train' the children!

What do the children waste water on? Gardens and showers are perhaps the biggest water wasters - there are plenty of MSE regulars who time limit their older kids showers and flick the heating switch to off when the time is up! Apparently they learn pretty quickly ...

PasturesNew

Fire_Fox wrote: »

there are plenty of MSE regulars who time limit their older kids showers

I am in a shower, including hair washing and conditioning, just 5-6 minutes. I just don't get it. You're in a confined space... wash .. and get out! There can't be any fun standing there naked.

These days, compared to 20-30 years ago, people seem to do more washing and have more showers/baths.

When I was a kid we had a weekly bath. Sunday night was bath night. No other night. Washing was also done once a week - maybe 4 loads. Some people just get in the habit of having the washing machine on 2-3 times a DAY.

bumpoowee

I have a water meter, and I don't make any extra effort at all to save water since having a meter, and it is considerably cheaper for me on a meter.

The 'rateable values' of properties without water meters are extortionate and you'd have to waste huge amounts of water for a water meter to be more expensive.

Sleepy_Panda

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Yes you can, it will be free to fit and they will take it away free if you don't like it (within 1 year). BUT - you may be devaluing the flat by having a water meter fitted (assuming you own it). If the flat is rented, you must ask the landlord's permission. If you ask for a water meter to be fitted and it turns out not to be physically possible, they will cut your water rates.

You only need the landlord's permission if your tenancy agreement is for less than 6 months. And as far as I' m aware, most companies don't remove the meter - they'll put you back on the water rates, but the meter will stay there and any subsequent occupiers will have to be metered (company policies may vary though, but legally they can do this).

Blacksheep1979

Of course there's always the other side saying that maybe you should pay for what you use as then you're paying to sort out all the waste water you're producing which left untreated would damage our country?

wymondham

Don't assume that having a meter means you'll be worse off. We have a family of 4 and are considerably better off with a meter, by as much as 30% a year saving. Won't be long before all properties will have to have one anyway I suspect...

gabyjane

Were in a new build 2 bed and save more than we did in our old house. All houses will ahve them soon like others said..

geoffky

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8052470.stm