Going away. Water bill ?

Will81

My home will be empty for several months. Thames water, fixed cost, supplied without a meter.

What info will they need for me to save money on my water bill while away? I pay monthly, 10 months of the year.

anna42hmr

This is from Thames waters website, it appears to depend on circumstances and reason for the absence but generally you have to pay still:

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/your-account/567.htm

Unoccupied or empty properties

All owners of furnished or unfurnished unmetered properties are legally responsible to pay for water services even when the property is unoccupied.
We can only close the account if the property does not contain any furniture and is not undergoing refurbishment.

Building and refurbishment
If you wish to use an existing unmetered supply for building or renovation works a 0.17 per cent charge of the contract value plus VAT will be applied for works that exceed £100,000.
Find out more about water for building purposes

Extended holidays/living or working abroad temporarily
You have to continue to pay your water bill when your home is temporarily vacant. You may benefit from having a meter installed, as you would only need to pay for the water you use, plus a fixed standing charge.
Switching to a water meter

All home contents placed in storage
If you have placed the contents of your home into storage, the property will be classed as empty and unfurnished and we will be able to close your account.

Property let during your absence
If your tenant is responsible for the charges an account should be opened in their name.
Submit your tenants' details

Medical care
If the sole occupier of a property goes into hospital, a nursing home, or similar, for three months or more we will waive all the charges for that period.
To make a claim please submit proof of absence. This may be a note from your doctor, social worker or the hospital administration officer.
This should be sent with a covering letter to:
Thames Water
PO Box 286
Swindon
SN38 2RA

spiro

I would personally get a meter fitted, you can always revert back to none meter billing in the 1st 12 months. This may also save you money in the long run.

george1939

spiro wrote: »

I would personally get a meter fitted, you can always revert back to none meter billing in the 1st 12 months. This may also save you money in the long run.

The problem is once it is fitted the meter stays in so if this property is to sold who ever buys it is landed with a meter so the buyer if married with a family or intended family the water used would be costly. Same with a tenant should the tenant decide on a meter to save on costs without the landlord opposing it the landlord is landed wih the water meter forever once the tenant moves out and costly bills for the family occupier whether it be tenant or if sold the new owner Could have a negative effect for selling purposes

Cardew

george1939 wrote: »

The problem is once it is fitted the meter stays in so if this property is to sold who ever buys it is landed with a meter so the buyer if married with a family or intended family the water used would be costly. Same with a tenant should the tenant decide on a meter to save on costs without the landlord opposing it the landlord is landed wih the water meter forever once the tenant moves out and costly bills for the family occupier whether it be tenant or if sold the new owner Could have a negative effect for selling purposes

However when a new occupant moves in - either owner or tenant - the water company can insist that a meter is fitted.


This was laid down in The Water Act and has been in place since 1990, although some companies didn't bother enforcing that provision, whilst others did.


Also the owner has no power of veto if a tenant decides to have a meter fitted, despite what a rental agreement might stipulate.


The whole purpose of the metering provision in The Water Act was to get all properties metered; and indeed all properties built post April 1990 are metered. The clause to allow existing properties to remain on charges based on their Rateable Value(RV) was a temporary provision for existing customers(in 1990), not to enable future tenants/owners to pick and chose!


Everyone should pay for what they use - the whole purpose of metering.