Water use is free?

gino_76ph

Hi there!

Me and my wife had just moved-in to a new flat in SW19 London and i was wondering how do i know if our water is actually free or not?

As far as i can remember the Estate Agent told us to just contact the necessary utility companies ( as written in our tenancy agremment) to register and in order to start paying.

I heard that some properties have water in them for free or provided by the landlord (in this case ours is not..i think) or pai-for by the council.

Any advice please.

Thank you.

Cardew

No water supply is free.

Do you have a meter?

Some blocks of flats in London have a single meter and the charges are billed to individuals or could be included in rent.

Why not ask your neighbours?

NeverInDebt

Unless its stated its free as part of your rent dont assume it is free because it may well be you get a nasty surprise. As said ask neighbours and put something aside in case it is not part of your rent

macman

Since your STA says you have to contact the utilities, you can safely assume it's not included. It will either be metered, or based on RV billing if not.
Nor I'm afraid is your gas, electricity or council tax 'free'.

samsmoot

There is no legal requirement for you to inform your water company that you are using the supply. If they ask you can pay, otherwise you could just keep quiet about it and save a few pennies.

gino_76ph

There is a meter outside our small 2-bedroom bungalow flat and it in "Cubic feet". that's water isn't it?

Should i just ask the estate agent if it is included in our monthly bill and i do not recall them saying that or otherwise.

macman

That sounds more like a old imperial gas meter, most water meters are metric. An external water meter will normally be sited underground via a small hatch in the pavement or drive-where is this one?
Follow the supply in and see where it goes.
Unless it says so in your STA it will not be included, and it's your responsibility to register for the supply when you move in.

deano4930

Sometimes a large block of flats can be on a "bulk meter" basically measuring the supply to the block of flats and then the company that manage the flats pay for it however you are still liable for Surface Water & Highways Drainage (SWHD) Charge.

Contact your supplier and find out. Save you getting a bill a few months down the line when they realise their meter is turning when they have no one listed in the account!

kingdavid2012

Running water is usually charged unless under special circumstances.
Ask the neighbors.

mcc100

gino_76ph wrote: »

Hi there!

Me and my wife had just moved-in to a new flat in SW19 London and i was wondering how do i know if our water is actually free or not?

As far as i can remember the Estate Agent told us to just contact the necessary utility companies ( as written in our tenancy agremment) to register and in order to start paying.

I heard that some properties have water in them for free or provided by the landlord (in this case ours is not..i think) or pai-for by the council.

Any advice please.

Thank you.

Just ask the Estate Agent as they will know ........ all posters on this forum will try to give helpful advice but it will all be their own personal opinions.