meter fitting and stop tap location

Undine

Hello, I'm looking for a bit of advice regarding water meter fitting.
Basically Southern say they can't fit a meter in my flat because of my stop tap locations. I have two taps, one in the bathroom in a corner by the toilet and one in the kitchen under a countertop next to where the washing machine plumbs in. According to Southern they need a square foot to fit a meter, which would rule out both locations despite both being easily accessible and big enough for a meter, the washer is easily moved and could be positioned to allow ample room at the back by the tap.
I spoke to a neighbour and they have one fitted, its a block of flats so the taps are all in the same spots, which has only confused me more.
Has anyone else had a meter fitted where there washing machine is?
Many thanks

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Are you sure you have two stop taps? as having two stop taps mean two supplies, which would rule out a meter.

They have to offer you an assessed charge if a meter can't be fitted, which might be cheaper.

Undine

Thank you so much for replying.
I've just had a look at both taps and the bathroom one turns off all the water whereas in the kitchen the tap won't budge at all.
I'll defiantly go for the assessed charge if a meter is no go, it just doesn't help southern have given two different reasons for refusal. At first it was shared pipework and I'd have to pay thousands to get separated off and then it was inaccessible stop tap, seems neither of which is quite true.

deanos

Cardew wrote: »

Welcome to the forum.

Are you sure you have two stop taps? as having two stop taps mean two supplies, which would rule out a meter.

They have to offer you an assessed charge if a meter can't be fitted, which might be cheaper.

Many older properties have 2 supplies and also have 2 water meters fitted (but only one standing charge) , its very common especially on old terrace houses, one supply fed the kitchen and the 2nd fed the outbuilding which many people build into and incorporate it into the property

Cardew

deanos wrote: »

Many older properties have 2 supplies and also have 2 water meters fitted (but only one standing charge) , its very common especially on old terrace houses, one supply fed the kitchen and the 2nd fed the outbuilding which many people build into and incorporate it into the property

Yes, indeed I have the same arrangement of two feeds in an annex.

However my understanding is they won't fit meters in those cases(at least with Severn Trent) and give the option of an assessed charge.

deanos

Must depend on the water company i know some that fit 2 meters because of 2 internal feeds into the property

Undine

Thanks for the replies.
It's a 60s council block, so not mega old, but I think one of the problems is a false wall was put in the bathroom to make a closet, think it had housed the old boiler, and said wall is right next to the tap, the pipework is easily accessible via the closet but directly by the tap most of the pipework has been covered by boards because of the toilet and bath.. Etc

Looks like the accessed charge is the way forward. Thanks for the help.