Bought house with meter, had bill based on RV

strowger

Hi all,

I've recently bought a house in the Yorkshire Water area.

The house has a water meter, but the previous owners were still billed based on rateable value.

The drainage & water search commissioned by my conveyancer says that Yorkshire Water would force me on to a metered tariff after purchase. The conveyancer drew my attention to this.

I've received a first bill from Yorkshire Water, addressed to me and correctly dated from the day my purchase completed. It's unmetered - based on rateable value - and covers the period to 31 March 2015.

Does the arrival of this bill mean they have "missed the boat" for forcing me to be metered, or can they still legally do it later?

I've a few different water-bill related questions, so I'm going to open a new thread for each. This is because they are separate issues and I would like to try to keep things simple by not mixing them up.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers

brewerdave

Our next door neighbours are in the same position here in Wales - the previous owners had a meter fitted but apparently went back to rateable value within the initial 12 months.
The "new" owners are still paying based on rateable.....and have been for three years now!
My recent experiences with Welsh Water suggest that their administration is in such a mess that they don't know where meters are fitted anyway ...I suspect that Yorks Water are just as bad!

HappyMJ

They can switch you to a metered bill later if they want. It's a mistake they are not legally obliged to keep to. Make sure you have evidence of the meter reading on your purchase date (or close to).

strowger

Hi brewerdave,

Thank you for this.

I have seen somewhere online a text to the effect that once they have billed on RV, they have missed the boat and can no longer force you to metered. I can't find it now and would like to confirm it if possible.

Cheers

Cardew

strowger wrote: »

Hi brewerdave,

Thank you for this.

I have seen somewhere online a text to the effect that once they have billed on RV, they have missed the boat and can no longer force you to metered. I can't find it now and would like to confirm it if possible.

Cheers

I wonder if that statement about bills based on RV covers a slightly different situation.

As you are aware on change of occupant - provided the water company are informed of that change - the company can insist on installing a meter.

This is an extract from the OFWAT website:

Do I have to have a meter?


Your company can choose to install a meter at your property. However, it can only charge you using the meter if you:


• use an automatic watering device (such as a garden sprinkler);


• automatically fill a swimming pool;


• have a power shower or extra large bath;


• use a reverse osmosis water softening unit;


•are the new occupier of a property (provided it has not already sent you an unmetered bill); (my bold)


[/QUOTE]


I don't know if the above applies when a meter is already installed?????

strowger

Cardew wrote: »

are the new occupier of a property (provided it has not already sent you an

Thanks Cardew. I think that *probably* means I'm OK.

Cheers

Cardew

strowger wrote: »

Thanks Cardew. I think that *probably* means I'm OK.

Cheers

Agreed, or at least I suspect they might not 'fight' you in the event of a dispute.


Personally I believe everyone should be metered. However water companies are allowed by the Regulator to raise £xxx million in revenue and there is little financial incentive for them to enforce their powers to install meters.


Had they religiously enforced the 'meter installed on new occupant' provision since April 1990 there would be far fewer unmetered properties.

strowger

Cardew wrote: »

Personally I believe everyone should be metered. However water companies are allowed by the Regulator to raise £xxx million in revenue and there is little financial incentive for them to enforce their powers to install meters.

As a matter of public policy I agree with you. Unmetered anything has terrible incentives and governments should be using the regulator to drive metered usage. But I don't make policy, I just consume the stuff.... :-)