Water meter fiasco.Deposit being held.

stuart69

I recently moved from one rented property to another.I was at the old house for 2 years.I had a water meter fitted as i was advised by yorkshire water that if you have a long term tenancy agreement (6 months or longer) you do not need your landlords permission.)

Further research confirmed this:

"The Water industry act 1999 s11 says tenancy agreements cannot be used to stop tenants who pay their own water bills from choosing a meter."

However,the landlord is not happy that the water meter is installed,more to the point,they are not happy it is installed under the sink/worktop as they feel this restricts the space(which is tosh,i had 2 appliances of a standard size and the meter was beside them with ample space)

So they are in talks with yorskhire water apparently and want the meter moving (as it cannot be removed) and states if there is a cost then it will come from my deposit! Why should i have to pay because the landlord wants it moving? I have done nothing wrong,it is a tenants right to chose how they pay for the water they use.

Were do i stand on this? The deposit is in a protection scheme and they do have a dispute service but if you use that and they side with the landlady then you cannot take it to court after that.So im not sure how knowledgeable the service is.

Building_Surveyor

Well firstly you didn't ask for permission. I don't think it's up to Yorkshire water to dictate whether you need permission from the home owner or not.

At my work place the tenants do need landlord consent for a water meter.

I suspect you should have double checked with your landlord first before going ahead on the back of some call centre advisor who has no clue about your tenancy agreement.

In terms of rights and the dps I don't know much about that so can't really comment any further.sorry

stuart69

Well there is a law stating that tenancy agreements cannot be used to stop tenants doing this.I think it is very small minded of the landlord to expect tenants to pay double for water they are not using just because she doesn't like water meters.I have booked an appointment with citizens advice.

[Deleted User]

The argument that your landlord will put forward is that while you have every right to have a meter installed, you do not have the right to pick and choose where that meter is placed and any reasonable tenant would consult with their landlord before making permanent changes to the property. Almost all tenancy agreements will explicitly state that you cannot make changes to the property (in the case of utilities) without permission. Do you have a written tenancy agreement and if so does it mention this at all?

I would be very surprised if the deposit protection did not allow the landlord to deduct from the deposit, after all they will have to spend money restoring the property to how it should be.

pinkshoes

stuart69 wrote: »

Well there is a law stating that tenancy agreements cannot be used to stop tenants doing this.I think it is very small minded of the landlord to expect tenants to pay double for water they are not using just because she doesn't like water meters.I have booked an appointment with citizens advice.

The issue you have is that the LL wasn't consulted about where the meter was installed.

You have the right to metered water, but it's the LLs house so he needs to be consulted in the location of the meter.

If there's a better location then it's his choice.

I feel you shot yourself in the foot here by not asking!

Edi81

I had a meter fitted as it was cheaper but got permission from the managing agent. When I moved out the landlord saw it on the inventory and asked why permission wasn't asked. I was able to prove the managing agent had agreed to it and the problem went away.

Whilst you have the legal right to a meter it's not your property and you should have got permission. Whether they can withhold your deposit is something you may need to take to the tenancy dispute service. I hope a lesson has been learned that you always need permission to cover your own back.

ConfusedofYorkshire

I'm surprised they put it under the sink. Ours are always outside under a dirty lid we have to lift with a chisel.

You should have asked first.

TBagpuss

I agree with PPs, the issue is not your right to chose a meter, it's that you didn't speak to the landlord about *where* it should be installed before going ahead.
Assuming that there is somewhere else it could reasonably have been installed, then I think the landlord is entirely reasonable to want it moved.

AnnieO1234

If I were the landlord I would be arguing two points, your decrease the marketability of the property (potentially) and you have not returned the property in the state it was in when you took on the tenancy. All of this could have been avoided by talking with your landlord.

FWIW if the property had two or more bedrooms (a family let) I, as landlord, would've paid the water rates rather than having a meter installed and would have given you notice at the same time. Water meters are costly !!!!!!s IMHO, especially if you have children or a garden to water.

theartfullodger

According to Citizens advice..
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/consumer_e/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_water_supply_e/consumer_paying_your_water_bill_e/changing_to_a_water_meter.htm

If you are a tenant

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.



You may need advice if your landlord doesn't agree to you having a meter, as any disagreements could cause problems when renewing the tenancy.

martindow

ConfusedofYorkshire wrote: »

I'm surprised they Luther it under the sink. Lurks are always outside under a dirty lid we have to lift with a chisel.

I think your spell checker has a mind of its own!