Water Meter in the Street?

Bluefusion

We are taking over a vacant property, and I have been informed by the estate agent that the property has a water meter that is located in the street, but they do not know where its located or what water authority owns it.

I have had a look around in the front garden and down the side of the house but I cannot see or find a meter anywhere?

As we will need to get a meter reading as soon as we take over the property. Is it a case I will have to ring around all the water companies i.e. Three Valleys and Thames Water etc to find out who's responsible for it and where its located?

mrsS_2

the previous owner normally has to supply a copy of the water bill to your solicitor before you exchange. Hopefully you only have to phone one number.

if meter has been tarmacked over may take the company a couple of weeks to find it-we needed to dig a new water main and our stopcock in street wasnt on the company records- they had to come out and dig lots of holes......(no charge though)

Lil_Dee_2

Bluefusion, my meter is 'in the street'. Well, nearly, it's found on the pavement that is in front of my garden, as are all the neighbours. I had to take the lid (black, plastic grid-type thing) off a few, and run my tap whilst someone checked which meter ran according to the tap going on/off !!!!

Look for a small black plastic circular thing, slightly smaller than a side-plate in size, as you may find it's in there. Oh, and take something to wipe the meter with (kitchen roll) and a pair of gloves to wear - they get very mucky inside *eeeeeewwwwwwwww*

newmoneysaver_2

Mine is in the street too! Jut lift up a little grid type thing, remove a polystyrene cover and the meter is underneath!

Bluefusion

Thanks to all for your quick responses. I shall return to the property next weeks to see if I can find it.

Debt_Free_Chick

If there is a grass verge, then grass may have grown over the meter lid.

Walk down the street and find other meters. They tend to have been set in a straight line - so if you can find "the line" of meters in the street, you can find roughly where your's should be.

Also, find where the mains enters the house - imagine a straight line from that point out to the road ..... your meter will be "around that point".

You may have to scrape away the grass around the suspected point to find the meter.

HTH

densol_2

If it is a little confusing to work out which one is your when you have access to the property - go inside and run the bath and the taps - then run outside and the clock will be wizzing round.

When I moved into a new house years ago it had a water leak - builder damaged pipes and the bill from water company was £2500 !! and the meter was spinning so fast it was a blur :rotfl: I remeber ringing tha wter company shaking and asking them if this was a normal bill for 2 people !!