Can I get a water meter in my rental?

caeler

I started a thread about water charges here and I've applied for a Water Meter: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2077003

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 now mean I can’t get a water meter?

Thanks in advance.

I’m not sure I can afford to stay long term if I can’t, it’s too expensive!

jeggburt

That means you would probably have to get in contact with the LL in order to get permission to get a water meter.

sooz

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

This means you must ask your LL if you can install a water meter. Do it in writing.

bristol_pilot

You should ask the LL's permission since installing a water meter could potentially decrease the value of his property.

Fire_Fox

You can change the supplier of the utilities without permission tho: that clause has been been discussed on the forums before and the experts are clear its unfair. My personal opinion that having the professionals install a meter isn't 'tampering' with the water supply. Lets face it, what is the letting agent / landlord going to do if you do have a meter installed? They can't legally remove it so there can be no penalty from your damage deposit (unless the meter installer damages the property).

G_M

there can be no penalty from your damage deposit

I disagree.
Installing a meter is, as the previous post says, permenant. The LL is stuck with it when you leave, even though
1) it might put off future tenants
2) it might lower the house value
3) if the LL moves in, he might not want one.

Not everyone likes/benefits form them.

The LL could argue the deposit should compensate him for the above if you have not requested permission.

gigxon

i am a new here, today is so cold here in our city.

Alex_LS

Water companies have the right to install a meter on change of occupancy, at which point the LL would have no say anyway. Could be worth contacting the water company to ask whether this would be the case for your property. If so, there's no impact on the LL.

JanCee

You may find that the LL is happy to have a water meter installed as it makes things easier when tenancies end and tenants move out. You will need to get his permission first though.

prudryden

I would ask the LL first - he may have already tried to get a meter and was unable for that particular property. If he was unable, you will be paying the average rate for all properties in your water company's area (Probably about £250/annually- London). If he hasn't, then you will be paying a fee based on the rateable value of the property, which should be substantially more than the £250. One of the reasons for not being able to install a water meter is if the water pipe goes into a loft tank which serves more than one flat - then the engineer will issue you with a form stating this. The water company then reduces your water bill from the rateable value to the average usage rate.

In any case, the Landlord should be very happy that you take the initiative to get a water meter as it certainly helps him as well. He has to pay the going rate during void periods even though no water is used at all.

But please contact the LL first, as contrary to popular belief, an unfair term is binding, lawful, and enforceable until such time as a Court deletes it or Parliament outlaws it. The expense of a Court Case could outweight the potential savings.

olly300

Thames Water make it clear that as a tenant you can get a water meter without your landlord's permission if your tenancy agreement is over 12 months.

If your tenancy agreement is under 12 months then your landlord's permission is needed.

Other water companies will have different rules so you need to check the exact rules with the water company that supplies you.

Anyway your landlord's clauses aren't unreasonable as:
1. It's illegal to tamper with meters
2. It stops you changing utility suppliers, not telling them and moving out making it very hard for them to work out who to send the meter readings to. While you can find out who the utility suppliers are of a property, it's a lot of extra hassle you don't need.

However the telephone supplier and number thing is a mute point as BT have changed how they charge people for reconnecting telephone lines.