Non-metered charge discount

Snakey

Thought I'd share the conversation I had this afternoon with Thames Water.

I moved into a new flat, had the guy round to see if a meter could be fitted, turns out it can't because there are two separate supplies and one of them is shared with a bunch of my neighbours. Which I already knew, but I wanted to get on the cheaper tariff for people who can't have meters fitted.

I rang them up today to see where they were up to, since the visit was about a month ago. I was told that there was good news - I can be put on an Assessed Household charge, which for my two-bedroom flat would be £70 cheaper than the rateable value. Thank you for calling...

It was only when I specifically stopped her and asked whether it made a difference that there was only me living there, that I was told that I could be put on a Single Occupier Tariff which was £70 cheaper than that!

So I thought I'd let you guys know... because if I hadn't known to ask (which I only knew because I had it in my last place) I would not have got it, because she either didn't know about it or didn't think to ask the question. And seventy quid is seventy quid.

Cardew

There are literally hundreds of posts about getting an assessed charge if a meter cannot be fitted; but it does no harm to repeat the message for new readers.


Depending on the company, the charge is based on number of occupants or number of bedrooms; and most companies do offer a single person discount.


The important point is that you must apply for a meter even if you know one cannot be fitted.


It is also pertinent to point out that an assessed charge will not always be cheaper than charges based on the Rateable Value(RV). Fortunately from the company website you can work out exactly the annual cost of RV based charges(obviously you need to know your RV*) and compare that cost with the assessed charge for your property.


* The RV is on your bill or can be obtained from the water company.

Snakey

What surprised me was that she would have put me on a more expensive charge had I not said "hang on a minute..." and specifically asked her if it made a difference that I was living there on my own. Generally when I phone utility companies the person on the other end seems to be on my side and trying to get me the best deal and I've often been given deals or ideas that I hadn't thought of. But this person would have "lost" me £70 a year if I hadn't happened to already know that there was this single person charge and asked for it.

Sorry didn't think to do a search before posting. I only do that when I'm about to ask a question!

Snakey

Since I'm sure you all really care, I got my water bill this morning and they've backdated the new charge from the date I requested someone to come out to see if I could have a meter. Really pleased about that, saved me about forty quid.