Water Meters, Hillingdon? Any way around it??

SID_2

Hi,

I have just bought a property in Hillingdon and like others on this site I have also the unfortune of being informed a water meter will be fitted to the property due to changes in ownership. As there are 5 people in the household, this will probably be more expensive and I would be alot happier with a annual bill.
I would like to know if anyone has successfully managed to revert back to a annual bill once a meter has been placed due to change of ownership. Any advise would be much appreciated. Thanks for your help.

sammyjo_3

I was told by Yorkshire Water that you have 12 months after the water meter is fitted to decide whether you want to stay with it or go back to an annual bill. I would imagine this is the same wherever you are.

deanos

sammyjo wrote:

I was told by Yorkshire Water that you have 12 months after the water meter is fitted to decide whether you want to stay with it or go back to an annual bill. I would imagine this is the same wherever you are.

That only applies if you request a meter, not a compulsory meter like SID is having fitted, i dont think there is any way out m8.

rosysparkle

My water charges are less on a meter (for five of us) than they were in my previous, smaller property (not on a meter).

If you are careful, you may not find it more expensive.

STAR_BUCK

My sister was in a similar position last year when she bought a house in Wraysbury. She wrote a complaint letter stating that they would have to take her to court as she would not allow water board onto her property to add on the water meter. She didn't hear anything from Thames Water and no one's come to challenge her? May be worth trying.

melbury

I don't know why everyone moans so much about having a meter fitted - everyone should have a meter and pay for what they use, it's the only fair way! Just like with gas and electric.

Psykicpup

STAR_BUCK wrote:

My sister was in a similar position last year when she bought a house in Wraysbury. She wrote a complaint letter stating that they would have to take her to court as she would not allow water board onto her property to add on the water meter. She didn't hear anything from Thames Water and no one's come to challenge her? May be worth trying.

As most water meters are not fitted within the boundaries of the property & compulory meters are only fitted outside the boundaries of the property her letter effectively meant nothing - she should have had a reply letter of some sort though - that might be worth chasing up sometimes Co's have to pay comensation if they dont reply in a timely fashion

silvercar

you show your willingness to enter into a water contract by using some water.

In a compulsary metering area the water board won't actually bill you for any water until they have installed a meter. Once installed they will start a contract with you, you having used water prior to this point have no option but to accept the contract.

They are not that quick at installing though. I had seven days notice served on their intention to install in July, still waiting. They won't enter into a contract until its installed, so I have no water bills at the moment. I don't even know how they are going to calculate usage for the time between us moving in and the meter being installed.

deanos

If you are being compulsary metered then the property would already have a rateable value from the previous occupiers so i would have thought they could calculate your bill on a pro rata basis from that.