My water rates...

Laughable_Butane_Bob

I've never once paid water rates. Why? Because I live in a flat in a communal building. As far as I know it is going to be impossible for the water board to cut off my supply and as the house on the other end of the block is about 8 times bigger than my flat (and I live alone), I don't see why I should pay the same on my own as the fourteen people living in the 9 bedroom house only 20 yards away.

I have had mail from them threatening to cut off my supply but the letters are not addressed to me; just to the flat address. I would happily pay the bill if I had a water meter installed, but I will also not be picking up the bill for installation of a device - whose only presence in my house is to fleece me of my hard earned - while lining the already wealthy pockets of the water distributors whose service is not exactly as good as it should be.

Any suggestions?

silvercar

water bills are charged according to the old rateable values if you don't have a meter. So you would be paying a lot less than the people in the 9 bed house!

Water bills are generally installed free, but as you say, it may not be possible to put a water meter in a flat.

If you own your property you will not be able to sell without sorting the water bill out.

In what way is the water "service is not exactly as good as it should be." and is that in any way connected with people like you?

Cardew

This is a money saving site and is not intended to give advice for avoiding payment of legitimate bills.

Why do you feel you should not pay for your water supply when everyone else does?

Do you expect to have your gas and electricity free also?

If your flat is pre-1989 it will have a Rateable value and the water charges will be based on that.

If you get a meter fitted - it doesn't normally cost. If they can't fit a meter you will get a representative bill.

Suggestions?

Get ready for the Baliffs to visit.

deanos

Laughable_Butane_Bob wrote:

I've never once paid water rates. Why? Because I live in a flat in a communal building. As far as I know it is going to be impossible for the water board to cut off my supply and as the house on the other end of the block is about 8 times bigger than my flat (and I live alone), I don't see why I should pay the same on my own as the fourteen people living in the 9 bedroom house only 20 yards away.

I have had mail from them threatening to cut off my supply but the letters are not addressed to me; just to the flat address. I would happily pay the bill if I had a water meter installed, but I will also not be picking up the bill for installation of a device - whose only presence in my house is to fleece me of my hard earned - while lining the already wealthy pockets of the water distributors whose service is not exactly as good as it should be.

Any suggestions?

Its not impossible to cut your water off at all