water meter required 'by law'???

checkthisout

Hi I have a question to anybody with any advice for me, me and partner have just bought and moved in to first home, rang severn trent water to set up water, and was told we have to have a water meter fitted as it is 'the law now'....?
This isnt a new build property, and I thought it was the homeowners choice to have it?
Have spoken to our finiancial advisor and he says hes never heard of a new 'law' coming in?

Any thoughts as to why we dont have a choice to have it or not?
Thanks

Cardew

It is a 'law' that is 20 years or so old! and is part of the Water Privatisation Act(of Parliament)

Essentially the aim of the Act was to eventually have all properties with a meter(except those where fitting a meter was not feasible) however as this would have meant a steep increase for some people - mainly in properties with a low rateable value and high water consumption - it was decided that those occupants could elect to stay on charges based on rateable Value(RV).

However on change of occupancy the water companies could, and indeed should, fit a meter; thus bringing about the very sensible aim of people paying for what water they consume.

However some companies enforced that provision of the law and others simply didn't bother.

Without going into it too deeply, the reason some didn't bother was that it makes no difference to the companies in financial terms if meters are fitted or not. They are still allowed to raise £xxxMillion in charges and make £yymillion profit. So if people pay less because they don't have a meter, then other pay a little more!

It was always the intent of the Act that meters should be fitted and there are signs that companies are having pressure applied to do as they should - i.e. fit meters on change of occupant.

So I am afraid you have no choice - a meter will be fitted.