Reduced water rate on unoccupied property

welshcakes

I heard somewhere that where you have a second property that is permanently unoccupied, you are eligible for a reduction in your water rates. Is there any truth to this?

Starb

Welsh Water will possiibly offer a reduction if the property is empty, i.e. has no furniture in it.

welshcakes

Thanks Starb - it is Welsh Water and apart from a kettle the workmen left, it doesn't have a stick of furniture. Can now ring them in morning without feeling like an idiot

deanos

We offer a surface water tarrif for unoccupied propereties, the peoperty has to have no furniture in it tho and we do checks regually, i presume most water companys will have this, if not it may be best to get a meter installed

welshcakes

Cheers for that deanops, must admit I've never even heard the term surface water tarrif. The property is going on the market for vacant possession sale this week and as it's a 4-bed house, a water meter wouldn't be an attractive selling point.

But today I shall be using the phrase surface water tarrif and sounding very knowledgeable on a phone call to Welsh Water. Fingers crossed and all that

Starb

Welsh water will install a meter when the property is sold anyway I would imagine.

welshcakes

Starb, why would they do that? I thought wter meters were an opt-in choice that householders had to request. For smaller usage properties, it makes sense but when there's a family and hence a lot more water used, I don't understand why water boards would by default anticipate the owners wanting it metered. Is this something new.? I know tha we recently used an online calculatore to see if a meter would be better and it worked out a lot more expensive.

deanos

Some water Co's install a meter when there has been a change of ownership, you have no choice as its compulsory

Starb

If it's any consolation Welsh Water are against compulsory metering of all properties as some water companies will be doing.

It costs the companies a lot of money to meter all customers.

welshcakes

All rep[lies have been informative, so thank you all. I didn't know about this new compulsory meter introduction. Can see it being much more expensive for families but I guess the arguement is if a household uses more, it should be reflected in individual bills.

deanos

Its only certain water Co's that compulsory meter properties on changeover