Can I install and water meter without permission from my landlord?

Lovelyjoolz

Cardew wrote: »

The regulation came into force 20 years ago. The idea was that eventually all properties would be metered as old occupants moved out.


Some water companies enforce the regulation - others don't.

Welsh Water don't enforce it. I moved from a metered house into an unmetered bungalow in December 2011 and we had to ask Welsh Water to come and fit a meter because the unmetered charge was more than double what we had previously been paying!

OP - bear in mind that it can take Dwr Cymru up to 3 months to fit the meter once you have requested it. They actually did ours just over 2 months after we put the request in, but it depends on how busy they are.

I'm a landlord too and I would prefer to be asked first, but I wouldn't object.

jammer55

Its highly unlikely that he would be allowed. If he was awkward enough to try.

southcoastrgi

it's not the LL stopc0ck anyway it belongs to the water co, it's not on his property (normally), so to my way of thinking it's really got nothing to do with him

pmlindyloo

jammer55 wrote: »

If you have a fixed-term tenancy agreement of less than six months, you must ask the landlord’s permission. If your fixed-term tenancy agreement is longer than six months, you don't need your landlord's permission to have a meter but your tenancy agreement may require you to ask their permission for alterations to the property.

Citizens advice website has the details.

Here is the link:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_water_supply_e/consumer_paying_your_water_bill_e/changing_to_a_water_meter.htm

jo54fne

So really according to that link I can't install one because he said no if we want to stay there so the stipulation in the Water Industry Act is pointless. Oh well. High water rates for us it is then or move again.

southcoastrgi

If you're a tenant, you can still ask for a meter.
If you have a fixed-term tenancy agreement of less than six months, you must ask the landlord’s permission. If your fixed-term tenancy agreement is longer than six months, you don't need your landlord's permission to have a meter but your tenancy agreement may require you to ask their permission for alterations to the property.

but you aren't doing any alterations to his property, the meter will be fitted as part of the external stoptap, he doesn't own this the water co does, where is the external stoptap most are on the pavement ?

jo54fne

southcoastrgi wrote: »

If you're a tenant, you can still ask for a meter.
If you have a fixed-term tenancy agreement of less than six months, you must ask the landlord’s permission. If your fixed-term tenancy agreement is longer than six months, you don't need your landlord's permission to have a meter but your tenancy agreement may require you to ask their permission for alterations to the property.

but you aren't doing any alterations to his property, the meter will be fitted as part of the external stoptap, he doesn't own this the water co does, where is the external stoptap most are on the pavement ?

I understand this but if we wanted to renew our tenancy agreement in December (which we plan to) then he could say no based on the fact that we had a metered installed without his permission couldn't he?

How easy is it for him to find out that a meter has been installed? I.E if we don't tell him, will he notice easily before we renew the agreement?

And if he wasn't to find out before we left the property (planning to stay until at least after we get married in 2 years) but found out after we left is he entitled to keep our bond? :beer:

Also, not sure where the external stoptap is, I know we have a tap in our hallway just by our front door by the gas pipes.

macman

He can renew or not renew your STA anyway-nothing to do with the water meter. Being that he doesn't appear to be the 'landlord from hell', why don't you just ask him, instead of plotting all this unececessary subterfuge?
.

neil9313

Anything we are missing here, why dont you contact your LL?

Cardew

neil9313 wrote: »

Anything we are missing here, why dont you contact your LL?

My understanding is that the OP had asked and got refused.

Prior to moving in our landlord agreed to having our gas and electric meters changed to credit meters but didn't agree to a water meter being installed verbally.

It's a terrace house so then likely not to alter his house. The STA as stated does not specifically forbid it. I know that he will say no again,