Council Tax Band Change does my Water Bill?

driven_c

Hi I successfully had my CT banding dropped from E to D and I know that Thames Water bills are based on ratable value of a property.

I asked Thames Water if I should be paying less for this two bed flat or get a refund, they don't agree. Is it the case that I should have my bill lowered?

VX5087

Water is based on the rateable value and not the Council Tax band. These days they are not connected.

JJ_Egan

RV was drawn up many years ago based upon the house prices/ ratable value around 1975 .

No connection as said with council tax .

Cardew

As said above your RV cannot be changed - this applies to all Water Companies in UK.
This link gives more detail and applies to Thames Water.


http://www.unitedutilities.com/about-rateable-value.aspx

Can my rateable value be changed?

The Valuation Office no longer changes rateable values. They cannot be changed by water companies and cannot be appealed by the customer. So any home improvements to a property since 1990 aren't considered. In cases where the rateable value is clearly invalid, for example if a property is redeveloped and split into flats, the only alternative way to charge is to fit a water meter.

undaunted

If you believe that the meter charges would be less then rateable value (eg if you are living alone perhaps) then this may offer a means of reducing your bills.


If a meter could not then be fitted for some reason they might offer an assessed charge - probably lower than rateable values if living alone.


Try this site for a calculator to compare how a water meter may affect you http://www.ccwater.org.uk/watermetercalculator/ Should you decide to try it and then find it more expensive you will have 12m to change your mind