Incorrectly fitted meter?

Cliecost

Hi,

Correct me if I'm wrong as this is just a query at the moment and I know nothing at all about the water industry or the laws involved with the water meters.

About 3 years ago we moved into our current domicile, rented.

It came with a standard water supply and we paid the usual monthly amount for the total annual bill.

The property was two flats which were converted from a house. About 2 years ago the landlord decided that she wanted it turned back into a house (don't ask me the reasons lol), she did this. The house went from being 6 and 6a to just 6. We used to live in 6a but, with agreement from the landlord and with an increased rent, moved into the new 6 which became a house.

During the renovations the water board came and fitted a water meter with no instruction from the landlord or us (I'm sure this is well within their rights) and fitted a meter.

My question is; if the property didn't actually change hands and all that (technically) happened was, the removal of 6a from the postal records and 6 increased in size, was it right for them to fit a water meter without instruction? And if it was wrong, is there anyway of reversing it?

Forgive me if I question any of your responses. It's not that I disagree it'd be that I want to make sure I fully understand before taking it any further (if, indeed, I can.)


Thanks for any help.

deanos

if the house has been changed then it wont have a rateable value hence the meter being fitted

Cliecost

deanos wrote: »

if the house has been changed then it wont have a rateable value hence the meter being fitted

So if you do any work to a property (like, an extension) you'd have a meter fitted?

I thought it was when a property changes hands?

Cliecost

This is from the Sembcorp Bournemouth water site.

'The Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended by the Water Industry Act 1999), in particular section 144B, Sub-section 2 (b) of that Act (link) enables us to meter a property on a change of occupier.'

No mention of rateable value or building works.

deanos

Cliecost wrote: »

So if you do any work to a property (like, an extension) you'd have a meter fitted?

I thought it was when a property changes hands?

Its not an extension it has been changed from 1 property into 2 then back again so would have lost its rateable value

Cliecost

deanos wrote: »

Its not an extension it has been changed from 1 property into 2 then back again so would have lost its rateable value

Again, no mention of rateable value on the site.

deanos

Cliecost wrote: »

Again, no mention of rateable value on the site.

Not everything has to be written on a website

macman

If there is no revised RV (which there can't be, since it's a historical value only), how can the billing be set? It can't, hence a meter can legally be enforced.

spiro

Cliecost wrote: »

This is from the Sembcorp Bournemouth water site.

'The Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended by the Water Industry Act 1999), in particular section 144B, Sub-section 2 (b) of that Act (link) enables us to meter a property on a change of occupier.'

No mention of rateable value or building works.

Well you moved from number 6a to number 6 so there was a 'change of occupier' simples.

Gothicfairy

If the property has around 50% change ie commercial to domestic or 2 flats out of one house etc then a meter is required as it is classed as a sub alt and the RV no longer stands.