Water bill for £640 based on rateable value!

Cardew

Beate wrote:

A 1 bed flat is usually only occupied by 1-2 people, and just because the value of the property might be higher than a 6 bed house does not mean that these people use up more water!

Rateable Value has nothing to do with the value of a property. A little flat could have an RV several times greater than a large house; even though the house has a value several times greater than the flat.

The OP's case illustrates why the rule of thumb does not work. With a high RV in a tiny 1 bed flat, they could still be better off if it had a meter and 6 people lived there.

Where a couple living in a 6 bed house with an artificially low RV could be better off without a meter.

Beate

Oh I see what you mean now. Still, I think everyone should have a compulsory water meter so it's fair to everyone - people should be paying for what they use. And it is not just a matter of saving money, but also of saving the environment. Some people only start being environmentally friendly when not doing it could hit their pockets more. Sad but true.

squeals

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. To be honest I am fearing a massive battle here, I am not prepared to pay this bill at all. I am even thinking about just getting a meter put in, am concerned my landlord won't be up for it.
All advice is gratefully digested! Makes me want to buy my own place all the more.

Thanks again!

deanos

squeals wrote:

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. To be honest I am fearing a massive battle here, I am not prepared to pay this bill at all. I am even thinking about just getting a meter put in, am concerned my landlord won't be up for it.
All advice is gratefully digested! Makes me want to buy my own place all the more.

Thanks again!

Makes no difference, you owe the money so have to pay otherwise your water could be restricted, even if you get a meter installed you will have to pay the pro rata rate up to the day its fitted