water meter

wolfsburgvw

Hi i own a hair salon and have been there for 5 years been paying water on RV. United utilities have sent me a letter saying i have to have a meter fitted is this true?

wolfsburgvw

please help

McKneff

Dont know about businesses but I'm sure no ordinary households can be forced to put a water meter in. See if CAB can help

wolfsburgvw

sorry whats CAB?

wolfsburgvw

sorry i already know answer to that one lol

Cardew

McKneff wrote: »

Dont know about businesses but I'm sure no ordinary households can be forced to put a water meter in. See if CAB can help

Actually domestic customers can be forced to have a meter when they move house, and in some areas even existing customers can be forced to have a meter.

I believe that businesses can be forced to have a meter. If in doubt contact the Consumer Council for Water.

McKneff

I didn't know that Cardew. I knew that all new build have meters built in nowadays but i think it awful that existing customers can be forced.

Gothicfairy

Yes it is true. Business can (and in my view should) be made to pay on a meter. For whatever reason you have come to the attention of the water company and they are now following their rules. They will go out and see if a meter can be fitted to the pipe work and if it can't you might be asked to make modifications to the pipe work to enable a meter to be fitted.

The RV might well no longer be valid if say the property was once a different business / size or the property was once domestic and is now commercial.
Have you checked the VOA to find out what they list your property as ?

Cardew

McKneff wrote: »

I didn't know that Cardew. I knew that all new build have meters built in nowadays but i think it awful that existing customers can be forced.

Why is it awful for domestic properties?

Surely you should pay for what you use?

The Rateable Value(RV)(which is the basis for charges on all unmetered properties) for most properties in UK was assessed in 1973, and no later than 1990.

That valuation was based, amongst other factors, on the facilities in the property e.g. modern kitchen, bathroom, Central heating or not.

It is a requirement that if since 1973 you have any extension, new garage, central heating, etc fitted you should declare this to the water company, as the basis of your RV has changed and you should be put on a meter. How many have declared those modifications?

I think it is inevitable that all properties in UK will eventually be forced to have meters, indeed that was the intent of the Water Privatisation act.

For one thing the plans to have water companies in competition for domestic customers will depend on everyone being on a meter.

Dharri5

As a commercial customer and especially a hair salon which will use a sizeable amount of water you should have to have a meter so you are billed on the amount of water you actually use, the same as other utilities. I agree with Cardew in the fact that everyone will eventually have a meter fitted as it is the fairest way to bill.

McKneff

Cardew wrote: »

Why is it awful for domestic properties?

Surely you should pay for what you use?

The Rateable Value(RV)(which is the basis for charges on all unmetered properties) for most properties in UK was assessed in 1973, and no later than 1990.

That valuation was based, amongst other factors, on the facilities in the property e.g. modern kitchen, bathroom, Central heating or not.

It is a requirement that if since 1973 you have any extension, new garage, central heating, etc fitted you should declare this to the water company, as the basis of your RV has changed and you should be put on a meter. How many have declared those modifications?

I think it is inevitable that all properties in UK will eventually be forced to have meters, indeed that was the intent of the Water Privatisation act.

For one thing the plans to have water companies in competition for domestic customers will depend on everyone being on a meter.

I meant it was awful to be forced into having a meter.
I have a meter by choice and have saved lots of money with it.
And i agree with you that people should pay for what they use.
I just dont agree with The Water People saying 'You Will Have A Meter'
whether you want one or not.