Water meters - pros and cons?

simplyredhead

My First ever posting and its to ask if any other people have knowledge of water companies charging for a survey cost just over £60, to see if property is suitable for a meter,they dont charge to install meter

Cardew

simplyredhead wrote: »

My First ever posting and its to ask if any other people have knowledge of water companies charging for a survey cost just over £60, to see if property is suitable for a meter,they dont charge to install meter

A belated welcome to the Forum - 1 post in over 4 years as a member!!

I have never heard of this for a domestic property; but have for a business.

I suggest you contact The Consumer Council for Water

http://www.ccwater.org.uk/

They are very helpful.

simplyredhead

thank you for the welcome !! it is Southern Water, filled the form in online then at very end it tells you about arranging a survey and the cost, have only got a little cottage !

ventriloquist

Hey everyone! I would suggest you to go and visit consumer council for water's website. there is a meter calculation that will help you to estimate your future bill if you decide to go on meter. Plus, you have 12 months to revert to unmetered charges if you think you dont save money on having a meter.

Having a meter should be FREE OF CHARGE, unless you are a business. If the company refuses, report to OFWAT.

If you think you are on a meter and your bill is high, you may want to think the following:

1) maybe you have a leak? contact the company to check. if there is any leak, you may be entitled to get leak allowance and/or non return to sewer allowance.

2) if you just think that your usage is high, contact the company to check whether they are able to spead out payment in longer period.

3) if you receive benefits AND having a medical condition that requires you to use more water, OR having three children or more under 19, you can ask to go for watersure scheme. I think this requires you to go on meter, BUT your water charges will be capped per annum, about 160 pounds I think. Again, check with the company.

Hope this helps!!

simplyredhead

thanks for the advice, the meter is free its the charge for a survey to assess if my cottage is suitable to have a meter fitted to it ?!! will check out the ofwat web site though.

ventriloquist

simplyredhead wrote: »

thanks for the advice, the meter is free its the charge for a survey to assess if my cottage is suitable to have a meter fitted to it ?!! will check out the ofwat web site though.

Hey simplyredhead. It should be free of charge, UNLESS you have a meter and you are thinking to change the location of meter somewhere else. That will incur some costs. If this is your first time, you should not be paying any penny.

Hope this helps :cool:

claire1234

my in-laws changed to a water meter,
am i right in thinking that they can change back within 12 months if they are not happy with the bills?

thanks claire.

ventriloquist

claire1234 wrote: »

my in-laws changed to a water meter,
am i right in thinking that they can change back within 12 months if they are not happy with the bills?

thanks claire.

That's correct Claire. When they agree to have a meter, there is a clause on the form which states that they can revert to rateable value based charge within 12 months.

Some water companies will not remove the water meter physically after 12 months- the meter will still be there, but the method of charging will be changed to RV.

Hope this helps

matttttttttt

I have switched and Anglian Water will allow me to switch back within 2 years of fitting the meter.

Cardew

matttttttttt wrote: »

I have switched and Anglian Water will allow me to switch back within 2 years of fitting the meter.

Are you sure it is not 12 months? It is for most companies.