compulsory water meter

ribenagirl

Wow. The calculator reckons that we'll save 53% on our bills (i.e. 211 pounds a year) by switching to a water meter! That's an insane amount...*scratches head* I am quite keen but my hubby thinks that it will put off potential buyers if we go for a meter. Any thoughts on this?

Woby_Tide

if someone is put off buying your house because you have a water meter then I wouldn't bother selling to them in the first place as next they'll be upset that they don't like the curtain colours and the grass in the garden is too long

if you are saving 53% over your rates, maybe showing prospective buyers the two different bills might help the position(and clout your husband for being a dimwit! ;o))

Spendless

ribenagirl wrote:

Wow. The calculator reckons that we'll save 53% on our bills (i.e. 211 pounds a year) by switching to a water meter! That's an insane amount...*scratches head* I am quite keen but my hubby thinks that it will put off potential buyers if we go for a meter. Any thoughts on this?

How many of you are there in your house? If there's just the two of you in a 1 or 2 bed property and it's likely that the next owners will either be single or a couple then i'd agree with the previous poster you can show them your savings.

If there's 2 of you living in a 3or 4 bed place and it's more likely to appeal to people with a few children(when it's likely that they'd use more water) i'd agree with what your husband says.

Philip624

We recently moved in the three valleys area and they told use they would be fitting a water meter however as our house was built in the 30's they needed access inside the house. The very helpful lady at Three Valleys told me this meant the meter was effectively optional as if we didnt give permission for them to enter the house they couldnt fit it. We duly didnt give permission as we would pay more for metered than unmetered charges with a young family.

I dont feel bad about this. I dont waste water, and Three Valleys make huge profits each year and much more water is wasted through leaks in their aging pipe system.

i have however noticed that our water pressure is noticealy weaker just recently. I wonder would they/are they able to reduce the water pressure to a house?

robwend

when i brought my last house i was told i had to have a meter after sucking up to the opertaor a while she "lost" the paperwork for me, hence no meter, new house im in now has one! im frightend to use anything now

irnbru_2

robwend wrote:

new house im in now has one! im frightend to use anything now

There's a simple solution to that - work to a budget.

You should be able to find the water rates that would be paid sans meter. Thus you could work out weekly/monthly what to put away - equally you can work out what that means in litres consumed. You will then know if you need to put more money away or conserve more water.

Meters are there to give more accurate billing not to encourage dehydration!

robwend

the water company has put me on a high user direct debit , i pay 18 a month<i think>

irnbru_2

robwend wrote:

the water company has put me on a high user direct debit , i pay 18 a month<i think>

Do you know the price if it was just based on rateable value?

Stompa

According to:

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat/publish.nsf/Content/infonote46

Water companies may install meters in properties when there is a change of ownership, and charge the new occupier according to that meter. Most companies install meters in new properties. The new occupier, in both circumstances, will be charged on the basis of usage without the option to move to an unmeasured supply.

dora37

robwend wrote:

when i brought my last house i was told i had to have a meter after sucking up to the opertaor a while she "lost" the paperwork for me, hence no meter, new house im in now has one! im frightend to use anything now

Might help you to know that we live in a 5 bed house which has 2 ensuites, family bathroom and cloakroom. There are 2 adults and 3 children in the house and we pay pretty much the same as my parents who live in a 3 bed semi with 1 bath and cloakroom.....however they can water their garden as often as they like without worrying their bill will get any higher!