Water meter unable to change to rates-new house

kizzie_nikita

As i'm in a rush i'll have to be quick.

We found a nice flat we'd like to rent, but it was on a water meter, at the inital viewing we asked if we'd be able to change from a water meter, to rates he said YES.

Before we signed anything, asked another person from the letting agent if we'd be able to change the meter to rates, they said YES.

On moving in day/signing day, asked the landlord if we could she said yes.

So we signed, we've neve had/delt with a water meter before so didn't really know anything about them.

Anyway, moved in, and rang the water company on the same day to ask to change to rates and they told us it simply wasn't possible.

At our old 2 bedroom house we paid £172 a year between us on rates, which was good, we have 2 OCD cleaners/washers so we was happy on rates.

The new flat, 2 bed, but 3 people, checked the water meter calculator to see that we've been estimated a cost of £500 A YEAR WATER!!!!!!!!! From £172 on rates. As we're either unemployed/in uni, and struggling there's no way we'd be able to pay that much a year, as at £172 it was already hard.

My point being we moved into the flat on the understanding (from 3 different people) that we'd no doubt be able to move from a water meter, to rates as we simply cant afford to pay over £300 a year extra! To find out we can't.

Is there any leg we have to stand on with the letting agent/landlord as they both told us 100% we'd be able to, but they 'lied'

I can only assume we have nothing to stand on/nothing we can do, and we will have to grin & deal with it and look for a new place after the 6 months is up, but i thought i'd come on here and check incase.

Just to add before anyone says it, we don't go crazy with water, we flush the toilet less (gross) limit ourselves to 2-3 showers each a week (which is hard when youve got 2 OCD clean freaks) only wash up with a washing up bowl once a day etc etc.

Anyway, if there is any hope thanks!

cte1111

I think what you were paying before is very low. In general, I don't think you can change back from a water meter to unmetered.

You could try and challenge the letting agent, as their misleading statements could be said to have led to extra expense for your household. Not sure how successful this would be though.

Ms_Chocaholic

Have you moved to a different area?

£172 (rated) seems very low; we pay £19 pcm, 3 adults, dishwasher, washing machine, power shower.

lemontart

Some water companies allow those that have switched to a water meter to revert to un metered, the best thing is to check with the water company for your area.

Most people actually save money with water meters however if you have a very large family it may well cost you more.

Cardew

lemontart wrote: »

Some water companies allow those that have switched to a water meter to revert to un metered, the best thing is to check with the water company for your area.

.

I believe only the customer who has requested a meter can revert to Rateable Value charging, and then only if they switch back within 12 months(24 in Anglian)

The OP should be aware that water companies have the power to fit a meter on change of occupancy - and the signs are that more companies are enforcing this regulation.

So there is no guarantee that a new tenancy on another flat will not mean that you won't get a meter.

Water charges for both metered and Rateable Value vary in different regions by over 300%.

macman

Your old RV billing amount of £172 was incredibly low: £14.50 pm. The moral is to do your own research (2 minutes on Google), and never trust anything an estate agent tells you-they are working for the LL, not for you!
Or they may just be typically ill-informed.

kizzie_nikita

Thanks guys,

Yes i do realise now that £172 a year was very low, as that's the first house i'd lived in i just assumed £172 was normal.

Spoke to the water company and they said they're sorry our landlord told us we could change from meter to rates, but it's not possible.

Spoke to the landlord who seems to couldn't care any less that it would(is) costing us £300+ a year thanks to her 100% assuring us we could.

I guess i will have to make sure i don't believe anything they say next time and just deal with it for the 6 months we live here!

dan3811991119

Set up a monthly direct debit to help you budget. They will take a fixed agreed amount out each month. Amount goes towards your bill anything left over you pay then by card.

It is not possible what so ever to change from a meter to rates unless you where the person who requested the meter in the first place. All water company's have this policy.

kizzie_nikita

dan3811991119 wrote: »

Set up a monthly direct debit to help you budget. They will take a fixed agreed amount out each month. Amount goes towards your bill anything left over you pay then by card.

It is not possible what so ever to change from a meter to rates unless you where the person who requested the meter in the first place. All water company's have this policy.

They won't seem to let us? Are they meant to let us? I'll ring them again.

Cardew

kizzie_nikita wrote: »

They won't seem to let us? Are they meant to let us? I'll ring them again.

It is not possible what so ever to change from a meter to rates unless you where the person who requested the meter in the first place. All water company's have this policy.

There is a typo in the above - 'where' should read 'were'

You will not be allowed to go back to being charged on the basis of the Rateable Value.

macman

Why waste time calling them again? You've been told several times now that you cannot revert to RV billing once a meter has been fitted, unless it's within the first 12m by the same occupier.
Any complaint you have is with the agent and LL, not the water utility.