Trying to charge me water for broken meter

r055i

Hi,

I moved into a property nearly 12 months ago. There is a water meter fitted. I first had a meter reading in July and then have just had another reading done. Both of these readings were 0. Great i thought as i was nearly £300 in credit.

But i have just phoned welsh water and they have said that a new metre will be fitted and they will come back in 21 days to take a reading. This reading from the 21 days will be used as an estimate to backdate my monthly bills.

Can that do this? How do i go about fighting for my refund as the meter is there property.

I am gratefull for responses in advanced.

keystone

If you have used the water then why should you not pay for it irrespective of whether the meter was broken or not? Its your responsibility to do so IMHO.

Something for nothing - nope, not in this world M8.

Cheers

macman

They're not charging you for 'a broken meter'. They're charging you for the water you have obviously used while the meter was broken by remeasuring your usage and pro-rata-ing the estimated consumption, which is normal practice.
You must have realised when the meter didn't move in 6m that it was broken.
On what basis would you be entitled to a refund? There's been a billing error due to the meter failure, they're entitled to adjust your billing accordingly.
Invariably when consumption is estimated, the customer comes out ahead.

r055i

This is the second meter reading they have done. first one on 20 June and second one on 4 January this year. Why didnt they realise that it was not working on the first reading and fixed it then? (im unsure if i told them that it hadnt moved when i done the first reading or not) .I believe it is there property and if they cannot maintained there equipment, they cannot charge me for the water i have used.

~Chameleon~

You want to think yourself lucky as your bill will no doubt be considerably less than it should have been considering we invariably use less water during winter months

r055i

How will i use less water in winter months?

macman

r055i wrote: »

This is the second meter reading they have done. first one on 20 June and second one on 4 January this year. Why didnt they realise that it was not working on the first reading and fixed it then? (im unsure if i told them that it hadnt moved when i done the first reading or not) .I believe it is there property and if they cannot maintained there equipment, they cannot charge me for the water i have used.

It is their property, and I'm afraid they can.
They couldn't realise it wasn't working on the first reading as they had no point of reference. The only way that meter failure is picked up is at the next reading, or by customer feedback-they don't do 'maintenance' on meter meters.
Why do you object to paying for water you admit to using, especially since your bill will be lower than it would have been?

r055i

Well i am going to complain to welsh water in writing and then to OFWAT. I have not recieved any information about them back dating usage of water. i think i have a strong case. i will keep you updated on how i get on.

macman

You are just wasting your time. The back billing rule does not apply to water billing in any case, and even if it did, it's not relevant to this case.

~Chameleon~

Pathetic!! *rollseyes*

keystone

r055i wrote: »

they cannot charge me for the water i have used.

You've used the wrteched stuff but now don't want to pay for it? What a selfish person you are. Everyone else can pick up the tab for you - is that it?

r055i wrote: »

..........i think i have a strong case.

I don't.

i will keep you updated on how i get on.

As already stated by others I think you are wasting yours and their time. You are irresponsible IMHO.

Cheers