Impossible to read my meter

rachel42

I moved into a one bedroom flat in March this year. First of all the letting agents told me there wasn't a water meter, but on phoning Thames Water to register, they told me there was one!

Thames Water said they would estimate what the meter reading was on me moving in, but I was welcome to submit a reading if I wanted! The problem is that it is under a heavy grid/cover in the communal yard area. The cover is impossible for me to lift so I can't read the meter.

Now after 4 months, Thames Water have sent me a statement saying that I have used 37 cubic metres of water. I am already paying £17 but according to them, I should increase this to £21.50 per month. This seems really high to me.

First question - is 37 cubic metres high for one person?
I live on my own
work all week
wash up every other day
shower 5 times a week
bath once a week
NEVER leave the tap running when cleaning my teeth
washing machine going once a week
I'm away at least one weekend a month.
No garden

Second question - the initial meter reading estimate. Am I too late now to take the matter up with Thames Water and maybe get my bill reduced? It was a couple in the flat before me, so I would expect them to have used more water and I'm concerned that I'm now being asked to pay for their water.

Any thoughts anyone?

Cardew

A single occupant on average will use 60 cubic metres a year, so in the 4 months since March average consumption would be 20 cu mtrs.

Actually the toilet probably accounts for the most water used.

If your initial bill was estimated then it is probable that you are paying for some of the previous occupant's water.

You can(nicely!) ask the water company if they will amend the bill with a different start reading as a goodwill gesture, but of course you should have read the meter when you moved in(I understand why you didn't) or the letting agents should have done so - but of course they didn't know there was a meter.

If they now try to charge to previous occupants extra, they will no doubt object.

You could try to get some money from the letting agents for their inefficiency - fat chance though!

deanos

Can you take a picture of the cover, there may be a simple way of opening it.

And yes you want to contest the start reading , ask them to do a check rading so they can work out your average, on the flip side they may have underestimated it if you use more water.