Wessex Water - is this cost normal?

caeler

Can anybody give me their perspective/understanding on this?

I never realised how expensive water could be! I’ve just moved house and got a whacking great bill! Ok not quite but it feels like it. I just called them up to find out why they hadn’t taken my direct debt this month.

I moved from a rateable valued property of £89 to one of £122. I’ve just found out and I had no idea this could make so much difference.

So for the next 3 months I get to pay £47 per month, then from May I’ll pay approx £36.00 for 10 month. I used to pay £25 per month over 10.

All they could say over the phone was that I’d ben lucky living in such a cheap property! Ha!

This is only my second home so I’ve no idea if this is normal or if I’m being ripped off?

Thanks in advance!

Ps. The new place is half the size of the old one and I just can’t believe how much more it’s costing me!

davetrousers

That's for water supply and sewerage no doubt.

Doesn't sound too bad.

Have you considered going onto a meter?

caeler

Until reading this part of the forum I didn't know there was such a thing as a meter. The thing is I work away alot, and its just me. So I have to consider my water/sewerage costs!

davetrousers

If you work away a lot get a meter fitted. Then you only pay for what you use.

worried_jim

bluefuzzybug wrote: »

Until reading this part of the forum I didn't know there was such a thing as a meter. The thing is I work away alot, and its just me. So I have to consider my water/sewerage costs!

Absolutely ! Get a meter now ! Even if they are unable to fit one (as in my case) you still qualify for a discount on your bill. I save £8 pm for just asking for one. Good luck.

caeler

Yes sirs! Just got back on the phone with them and their sending me an application form. Who knows if it will be applied as I'm a house on the end of some flats so I dread to think how the water supply works for us all. Thanks for your thoughts and after reading some other users posts it clearly the way to go. I don't even have a garden! LOL

moonrakerz

Do it now !

http://www.wessexwater.co.uk/do-it-online/default.aspx?id=1402

caeler

Thank you very much! I've just submitted. I'm actually a tennant and I don't intend to get my landlords permission. I'm on a 6 month tenancy and I'm sure I read somewhere that as long as it was 6 months LL can't stop me.

Gothicfairy

bluefuzzybug wrote: »

Thank you very much! I've just submitted. I'm actually a tennant and I don't intend to get my landlords permission. I'm on a 6 month tenancy and I'm sure I read somewhere that as long as it was 6 months LL can't stop me.

One thing to check though is your tenancy agreement, as I have seen ones where people lose deposits and even get "fined" for fitting a meter against the landlords wishes. If you the tenant have one fitted the landlord can not have it removed (it has to be the person who applied)

Check there is no clause that prevents any major changes to the property as it might not be worth doing if you are only going to be there 6 months.

caeler

Good advice. I do intend to be here a while which why I think its worth persuing.

I've checked my AST and it says:

Not to:

8.5 tamper with the water, telephone, gas or electricity systems and installations serving the Premises; or

8.6 to change the gas, electric, water or telephone supplier (including change of telephone number assigned) to the Premises without the consent of the Landlord, which will not be unreasonably withheld; or

Does this mean I can't get a water meter?

I appreciate my thread has now turned into a different sort of question so will post in the right section.

worried_jim

I think you may be out of luck with that clause in the agreement.
8.5 tamper with the water, telephone, gas or electricity systems and installations serving the Premises; or