New build - how long before the first bill is sent?

Lgas

I moved into my newbuild house in march, which is on a water meter, and as of yet have not received any water bills, either for our metered water or for sewerage. Should I contact the companies to investigate? I assume they'll catch up with us one day and I don't want to be lumbered with a massive bill. I could maybe ask my neighbours (who moved in around the same time) if they've received any bills, but we're not that friendly yet! I was contacted about my gas and electric within the first week.

Gothicfairy

Did you tell your water company you moved in ?

You should get a metered bill every 6 months but some companies do a 3 month one so it depends on who you are with.

I hope you checked the meter and made sure it was reading zero or if not that you made a note as you might end up paying for builders water if you didn't.

Lgas

I had one bill through which was dated until a date that was prior to us moving in, I gave this to the housing developers (they still have a sales office on site) who dealt with that bill, so we must be registered with them. This was for water they had used whilst preparing the house, doing viewings etc I presume. Perhaps I should ask the housing developers if we should have received any bills yet? I've never had metered water before so don't know the frequency of which they send bills out, however on my moving in paperwork I have the meter readings for all of my utility meters.

macman

It's up to you to register for the account when you move in-have you done so?
The developer's account would have been closed when they moved off site.
The same applies to gas and electricity-you need to go to them.

Gothicfairy

OH big mistake..never ever ever leave it to the developers..EVER

More often then not they don't close accounts when they finish a house ( if you are lucky they never even bother opening one) they forget to supply readings, they forget to make sure the msn matches the property number correctly... the list just goes on and on, ask anyone in the business and the horror storys are shocking.
You need to call the water company and sort it out yourself and give them the meter reading etc

treasuretiger

horror stories indeed! if i take anything from working in a water company, its never move into a new build especially an appartment block lol, more often than not they get the electric meters wrng too!

Lgas

Doh! I just assumed because Scottish Power contacted me about my gas and electric,the same would happen for my water! Will get on the phone to them, as soon as I can remember who the supplier is!

macman

It'll be the regional water supplier-you don't get any choice.
I hope you took an opening reading back in March?

Gothicfairy

treasuretiger wrote: »

horror stories indeed! if i take anything from working in a water company, its never move into a new build especially an appartment block lol, more often than not they get the electric meters wrng too!

All good fun aint it...and then they try and blame everyone else.I would not want to move into new build flats now either and I didn't mind the idea until I found out what could go wrong.
Lgas: if you don't have the meter reading the best thing would be to tell them you moved in xx date and that it was used as a show home ( I am guess that from what you said) and ask them to work out your bill based on your adc..They will have heard it a thousand times or more as it is nothing new with builders and show homes and bills...lol

They should be able to help you but you need to take a reading now and another in a week or so to help them work it out and to be honest you probably need to do that anyway to make sure the bills you do get are right

Lgas

I got given the meter readings by the developers the day they gave me the keys, and I checked them against the actual meters to make sure they were correct, so that's alright I think it's Southern Water I need to call then, but when I rented a flat I also had to pay Portsmouth water for sewerage. I think they only send a bill twice a year though.