Getting back on Rateable Value after a forced meter install

fluffybeee

Hello,
I thought I would pass on my experiences after reading lots of helpful advice from other users. Here's the situation:

I live in a shared house. The water bill used to be in another housemates name. When he moved out, the account was changed over to my name, innocently thinking that nothing would change. However, one day (on a sunday!), Thames Water turned up and installed a water meter, no notice and they didnt even knock before turning the water off!

I complained as this was completely out of order!! However, they quoted the Water Industry Act and after a little googling saw that they had the right as the account name had changed.

After 6 months we got our first bill. Woah! It was 360quid for 6 months, previously it was 360quid for one yr! So I googled around for water saving tips etc and found myself reading threads on this forum. Someone linked to the bit of the Water Industry Act 1999 where it states that water companies can install water meters when new people move in if there has not been a bill <I cannot insert links on my first post - will add soon!>

But reading the line underneath that bit (paragraph 3), it states that 'a change in the persons occupying any premises does not constitute a change in the occupation of the premises above if any person who was in occupation of the premises before the change remains in occupation after the change' ie as I lived in the house previously and can prove that with bank statements etc, then there was no change of occupancy and Thames Water do not have the automatic right to change over to a meter.

So after a long phone call to Thames Water and some arguing citing the relevant section of the Law, then waiting 2 months and chasing phone calls, they eventually changed us back, refunding the money we'd already paid for the meter. The key to not letting this happen again is to get everyones name on the bill.

I know the Rateable Value system is unfair and is usually more expensive but it works in our favour so I'm saving us money. Hopefully this information will help others too.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks, interesting post.

Sadly I fear it will not affect the majority of households as change of account holder usually means change of occupants. The exception could be student houses though.

£360 for 6 months on a meter would mean a highish consumption - lots of you living in the house?

fluffybeee

I live with 3 other people, plus various friends/partners staying over regularly, which is a lot of showers, clothes washing, washing up etc. Plus a leaking toilet, which was fixed fairly quickly.

I know its not of much help to the majority but could be for students and housesharers - very common in London! However, I guess it also depends on the rateable value of the property. Anyway, hope it helps!

fluffybeee

As I still cant post links, google: "water industry act 1999 chapter 9"
Then click on section 7.