Landlord installing water meter with no notice?

JustAnotherSaver

Doesn't apply to me, but my brother was asking about this since it's happened to his girlfriend & i said i'd try find out for him. I'll tell you guys as much as i know...

She's renting but he stays over at night now. The landlord is aware of this.

She wasn't on a meter but he's installed one which has resulted in her water bill being £40 dearer a month.

They were wondering whether the landlord can do this without giving any notice.



Now i'm guessing here that the landlord is renting this place out to this girl & since my brother is now staying over thought it'd either be cheaper or a money earner for him to install a meter so has done so & since the landlord owns the place he/she can do what they want as far as this goes.

What's the reality of it? Thanks.

pmlindyloo

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Doesn't apply to me, but my brother was asking about this since it's happened to his girlfriend & i said i'd try find out for him. I'll tell you guys as much as i know...

She's renting but he stays over at night now. The landlord is aware of this.

She wasn't on a meter but he's installed one which has resulted in her water bill being £40 dearer a month.

They were wondering whether the landlord can do this without giving any notice.



Now i'm guessing here that the landlord is renting this place out to this girl & since my brother is now staying over thought it'd either be cheaper or a money earner for him to install a meter so has done so & since the landlord owns the place he/she can do what they want as far as this goes.

What's the reality of it? Thanks.

How can it be cheaper or a money earner for the landlord? Who is paying the water bills?

I am very surprised that it is £40 a month more expensive on a water meter. Is this an estimate?

Yes, the landlord can have a water meter installed. IMO it is a sensible thing to do as I am guessing this is a small flat.

Since the boyfriend is staying over every night perhaps he should contribute to the extra water bill. Does he have his own place somewhere else?

bap98189

£40 seems excessive. There are only two of us in our house, and our bill is usually about £12/month. They must be using a lot of water if their bill has gone up by £40. Most people with only 2 in the household would find the water bill going down after installing a meter.

Normally the contract for utilities is directly between the tenant and the utility provider. You say that it is a money earner for the landlord - is he paying the bill and then charging them? I would be insisting on seeing a copy of the bill if so and not paying a penny more than the amount being invoiced.

sinizterguy

The landlord probably wouldn't care whether it is on a meter or not, as the tenant will be paying the bills.

It is more likely the Water Supply company making him do it.

Gwhiz

Not sure why you think the meter will be a money earner for the LL.

PasturesNew

Water meters usually give a much lower bill, not a higher one. Somebody's confused somewhere.

HappyMJ

The water supplier can install a meter on change of occupancy which includes a tenant moving in. The landlord probably didn't have a choice.

£40 (dearer) per month is A LOT of water. Which region is this?

sydenhambased

Is this a building where there are several properties (flats) sharing a water supply? If so, it could be that the landlord has fitted meters and is creaming profit off the top.

However, it's much more likely that the meter's been fitted by the local water company, and if this is the case, then the landlord won't have had much say in the matter and won't be seeing a penny - it's all going to the water company.

duchy

When our water meter was installed it wasn't a choice - the water co just came and did the road in one go.

I think your brother is paranoid..........very clean - but paranoid
Either he's using a lot of water (an awful lot of water) or it's an estimated bill........or the bill is wrong.

Presumably he is getting bills direct from the water company so should raise the possibility of a leak with their leaks team as part of querying the amount. I can't see how the LL would benefit either as water is paid direct to the water co not the landlord - and they don't do cashback !

[Deleted User]

I lived in Wolverhampton, ASKED for a water meter to be put in and found my water bill halved.

When I moved to Kent, I did the same.., and found my water bill actually went up by £10 a month. I checked the meter wasn't running
with all water turned off (no leaks). I guess water rates were relatively low here, and metred charges higher relatively speaking. Obviously a different water supplier. Same useage though.

So I just cut down on water useage even more. When kids take a bath, water is reused (floor mopping), if I need to run the tap to get hot water, that goes in the mop bucket too (I have two dogs so always seem to be cleaning floor). Toilet only flushed when it has to be, less baths and showers etc.

Apparently, according to information on my bill I'm using the water expected of one person in a 1 bed flat (two kids, one adult in 3 bed house).., but it still costs £26 a month.

But I don't see how a LL can possibly make money out of a tenant re water charges unless he is telling you the cost and you aren't getting a bill at all.

eddddy

Assuming the tenant or the landlord requested the water meter (as opposed to the water company insisting they have it), you usually have up to 12 months to change your mind, and go back to the old form of billing.

Here's a quote from the Thames Water website, but I believe other water companies have the same policy:

What if I change my mind about having a water meter?

You can opt out of being charged on your meter within 12 months of it being fitted, or within one month of your second metered bill (whichever is the later date). We will then change your account back to our unmetered charges from the date you let us know. However, if you move out of your property, the new occupier will be charged using the meter.

link: http://www.thameswater.co.uk/your-account/16996.htm