Large water bills in rented flat

StudentPoverty

Hi all. I've been living in small rented flat for the last 18 months and have been finding my water bills very high, which I don't understand. I have never paid a water bill before moving here (lived in another country, utilities included in rents etc) so had nothing to compare it to.

There is a water meter installed, so my bills are not a fixed rate.

In March last year I paid £289
In October I paid £293
I have just received another bill for the past 6month period at £329

Is this really high?! From reading the list of charges for fixed bills where a water meter cannot be installed, the yearly rate for a single person household is £282, yet I'm paying twice this.

I have tried to question this with them before but the people I have spoken to have been completely disinterested and just said it is based on the meter reading. Now, I live alone, I'm out most of the time and I shower in the gym at least 2 mornings per week. I do maybe 2 loads of washing (on a short cycle) per week.

What do you all think? Am I paying too much? Can you have a meter removed and go back to fixed rates? Should I speak to the letting agency/landlord?

Would appreciate any advice on how to proceed!

macman

You'd get a better response if you posted in the water forum-this is energy. No, you cannot revert to RV billing.
Have you verified the billing readings against the actual meter readings? Estimated or agent readings on the bill? Does the meter serial no. match the one you're being billed for?
If water is the responsibility of the tenant then it's nothing to do with your LL or letting agent.
Assessed billing is entirely different to both metered and RV billing. Since water charges vary by up to 250% between regions, no one can say if you are paying too much without knowing your region and annual consumption.