Moved to New home with Water Meter. Can It changed to Unmetered water bill?

awara

Hi there

We have just moved to new 3 bed property with water meter.
I believe that the owner was living alone so it benefited him.
We are 4 people in the house and I think our bill would be around £600 (using the calculator)
My neighbours on either side (5 people in one property) and 4 in the other) pay measured water charges about £200.

Is there any way I can ask the Svern Trent our water supplier to change back to Measured water rates?

Thanks

HappyMJ

No once a meter is in any new occupier must be on metered billing.

awara

HappyMJ wrote: »

No once a meter is in any new occupier must be on metered billing.

Is there any chance of success if take this issue to court?
I mean why I should be excluded from getting the bargain from the Water company if other public is getting it?

Cardew

awara wrote: »

Is there any chance of success if take this issue to court?
I mean why I should be excluded from getting the bargain from the Water company if other public is getting it?

Because an Act of Parliament was passed that decreed that once a meter was fitted - that would be the basis of charging.

All properties built since 1990 must have a meter fitted - they had no choice. If you could revert to non-metered charges, why shouldn't they be allowed to?

Is there any way I can ask the Svern Trent our water supplier to change back to Measured water rates?

You are getting measured water rates, that is the purpose of a meter. Unmeasured water charges are based on the Rateable Value

awara

Cardew wrote: »

Because an Act of Parliament was passed that decreed that once a meter was fitted - that would be the basis of charging.

All properties built since 1990 must have a meter fitted - they had no choice. If you could revert to non-metered charges, why shouldn't they be allowed to?



You are getting measured water rates, that is the purpose of a meter. Unmeasured water charges are based on the Rateable Value

sorry for the typo..
I meant UNmeasured water.

Gothicfairy

Seeing as you have had the main answer I wouldn't bother with that but you can call your supplier and ask for any water saving things they have, most companies have free stuff and advice etc.
Also set up a payment plan as that will help spread the cost

macman

awara wrote: »

Is there any chance of success if take this issue to court?
I mean why I should be excluded from getting the bargain from the Water company if other public is getting it?

But they're not getting it-all other customers moving into a new property will be metered if a meter is already installed. And the water company also have the right to meter all new occupants even if there is no meter installed-although not all enforce this.
There is no possibility of reverting to RV billing once metered, except when you request a meter and can have it disregarded in the first 12 months.
These are the terms of the Water Act, nothing to do with the suppliers at all.

McKneff

Where are you getting the £600 from ???


You cant possibly guess. Just tell everyone in the house to be frugal with it, brick in the toilet cistern, fill kettle with only the water you need.

Ask one of the neighbours for the exact figure of their rated water for the year.


Keep an eye on your meter, take a reading every week, you can work it out yourself. I think you are probably over calculating to be honest.

matelodave

The advantage of having a water meter is that it makes you more aware of what you are using and there is a significant incentive in not wasting it.

As said above there are lots of ways of reducing your consumption like getting flow restrictors on the taps & shower (usually free from the water co) Spending less time in the shower, turning off taps when washing and cleaning your teeth rather than letting the water run down the plughole. Only filling the kettle with enough for your requirements and only using the washing machine & dishwasher etc, when they are full.

Some of these ideas also have the added benefit of saving energy as well as you don't heat water that's being wasted.

Try reading the meter regularly so you can get an idea of your consumption and you can then control your usage and the size of the bills.

Mulder00

You can get a bargain too if you want it - just use water sparingly. Just moved from metered to unmetered and I find the loss of "control" annoying to say the least. There is nothing I can do to decrease my water bills...

HappyMJ

Mulder00 wrote: »

You can get a bargain too if you want it - just use water sparingly. Just moved from metered to unmetered and I find the loss of "control" annoying to say the least. There is nothing I can do to decrease my water bills...

You can get a meter installed...even if you are renting you still have a right to ask for a meter. If a meter can not be fitted then you can ask for the water company to charge you a lower amount based on the occupancy of the house if the rateable value is high.