paying when house empty?

butterflyer

sorry if this is an obvious question,just rang the water company for the address we are completing on next week,explained it will be empty for 4 months .I was told that if we were doing work on it,albeit once a month,then we have to pay full water costs.I explained the house will be occupied for 2/3 days each month but his answer was the same.
fair enough if thats the rules I thought. but then he gave me the monthly costs which is £50, at the moment we pay £27 in our present home..how come its almost double in another area?

Pee

Water bills do vary wildly from one place to another.

The information supplied is as I understand it, sorry. Would a meter be worthwhile?

butterflyer

I've always thought a meter wouldnt be worthwhile for us. I have 4 teenagers at home who think nothing of taking a 20 minute shower, the washing machine goes on about twice a day,dishwasher once. 6 of us in house so toilet flushed no end of times a day. am I best avoiding a meter?

bluewire

From what you have said I would say yes. But you can go on to a meter and if you find that it is not working out switch back

Smi1er

bluewire wrote: »

From what you have said I would say yes. But you can go on to a meter and if you find that it is not working out switch back

Not strictly true.

If you currently pay rates then you can ask for a meter and swap back within 12 months.

If you buy a place then my understanding is you have to have a meter but there are some ways around it.

deanos

You don't have to have a meter if you buy a property it depends on water company, some have this policy and some don't.

Swipe

That's just the way it is. I moved from a town suburb to a rural village and my water rates doubled. I live alone so just had a meter fitted and my water suddenly became 70% cheaper.