Why water bill varies so wildly from property to property?

gilbutre

Hi everyone,

Just moved in a new house in the same area of Birmingham. Monthly bill (company is Water Trent) changed from £27 to £59, that's almost twice the amount !

They told me the bill is based on the property. But what is the reason for that? Why the cost should be so awfully different?

penrhyn

Becaused its based on your old rateable value. Get a water Meter and you may save. Especially if there are only two of you.

Cardew

As said above the unmetered charges are based on the Rateable Value(RV) of the property.

The RV system of assessing 'local taxes' finished in 1990 and became Poll tax and now Council Tax. Your houses could have been assessed as long ago as 1973 and the RV was nothing to do with the value of the house but the notional rent it would command.


Only the Water companies use the RV these days.

gilbutre

Ok. Landlord said he doesn't want water meter installed in the property. Great! And why would he refuse that?

penrhyn

Odd, Severn Trent used to fit them for free.

Cardew

If your rental agreement is 6 months or over, the landlord has no say in the matter; assuming the meter is fitted on the pavement - as most are - rather than in the house.

datlex

gilbutre wrote: »

Ok. Landlord said he doesn't want water meter installed in the property. Great! And why would he refuse that?

Perhaps due to the perception some people have that meters are expensive.

If the meter is located on the property you need his permission. If it is outside the boundary of the property you don't.

cattie

gilbutre wrote: »

Ok. Landlord said he doesn't want water meter installed in the property. Great! And why would he refuse that?

Lots of families, especially larger ones just don't want a water meter because they fear having large bills due to the amount of water they use. Because of this, a house with a water meter can be less desirable than one paying water rates, so many owners & landlords decide not to have water meter.

It was a decision I myself made when living in my last house. I knew I could probably reduce my water bills by more than half with a meter as a person living alone, but as it was a large house more suited to a family, I knew when I came to sell that a water meter could put a family off.

Cardew

cattie wrote: »

Lots of families, especially larger ones just don't want a water meter because they fear having large bills due to the amount of water they use. Because of this, a house with a water meter can be less desirable than one paying water rates, so many owners & landlords decide not to have water meter.

It was a decision I myself made when living in my last house. I knew I could probably reduce my water bills by more than half with a meter as a person living alone, but as it was a large house more suited to a family, I knew when I came to sell that a water meter could put a family off.

However the new occupant might not have a choice about having a meter.

Water companies are empowered to fit a meter on change of occupant - and indeed should do so!

However some companies don't enforce this provision but others do, and there are indications that more companies will enforce this very sensible regulation.

gilbutre

Well that sucks, I'll have to pay heavier bills then. Thanks all and especially cattie for the insight.

datlex

gilbutre wrote: »

Well that sucks, I'll have to pay heavier bills then. Thanks all and especially cattie for the insight.

Up to you really. At the end of the day, it is your choice provided the meter can be put outside. My parents got a water meter years ago for a 4 bed house when we were at home and they did save money - just goes to show how much you get over charged for non meterage!!