We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
Change of ownership - Water Rates
Oxid8uk
Posts: 224 Forumite
Hi,
I recently bought a property that doesn't have a water meter installed (which I was happy with). When I rang Severn Trent Water to register a new account with them they said they had to change me to a water meter and that it was the law - any unmetered property now has to have a meter installed on change of ownership. Is this correct?
I recently bought a property that doesn't have a water meter installed (which I was happy with). When I rang Severn Trent Water to register a new account with them they said they had to change me to a water meter and that it was the law - any unmetered property now has to have a meter installed on change of ownership. Is this correct?
0
Comments
-
Remembering a similar question a while ago, a meter is compulsory when a property changes hands in some areas and not others - Norfolk is another area affected.0
-
I wouldnt worry about a water meter to be honest, my water bill was halved when I got one.
How many in your family, if there is just you and one or 2 others you will notice the saving straightawaymake the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
and we will never, ever return.0 -
There is two of us at the moment but we are getting a few lodgers for a year so there will be 4 people in total. We bought the property for our 'forever home' and in a few years time will start a family - hence wanting to stay unmetered as it will end up (hopefully) being a household of 4-5. Plus it has a large garden and I would like a veg patch that will need some watering. Water rates are currently just over £500 a year - not sure how reasonable that is?0
-
I really still wouldnt worry about it.
A meter will be okay, as long as the lodgers are paying part of it which they will do in there rent it will be okay.make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
and we will never, ever return.0 -
All water companies have the right to install a meter on change of occupier. STW didn't use to do it but after a bit of a telling off from OFWAT they now do it.
I am afraid there is nothing you can do about it.
Ask STW to send you a hippo bag for the toilet and a shower saver..that will help with the usage.There is a race of men that don't fit in; A race that can't stand still;
So they break the hearts of kith and kin, and roam the world at will.
Robert Service0 -
We were concerned when we first had a meter imposed on us; there are two of us and we decided not to change our usage to see what happened. We use dishwasher, washing machine, water the garden, use a hose to wash the cars, all the usual stuff, and our monthly payment has just gone up to £35, following a price increase. This is just over half the water rates on our previous property...0
-
Norfolkbroad wrote: »We were concerned when we first had a meter imposed on us; there are two of us and we decided not to change our usage to see what happened. We use dishwasher, washing machine, water the garden, use a hose to wash the cars, all the usual stuff, and our monthly payment has just gone up to £35, following a price increase. This is just over half the water rates on our previous property...
Does the £35 cover wastewater charge as well or just supply of fresh water? Our usage is similar to your and we are paying £595 a year for supply and waste water and are not metered at the moment.0 -
2 of us are in a 3 bed semi, usual water usage, garden, dishwasher, washing machine etc. No car washing though.
When you get your lodgers, point it out that you are on a meter and ask them to be careful in their usage.
Our water payment has just been reduced from £22 to £20 a month.make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
and we will never, ever return.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards