Just moved into new flat....

richdeniro

Hi All,

I completed on my new flat on Friday and have just been doing all the admin type things today, i.e. letting management company and utilities know that I am the new leaseholder in the flat. I found all the details in the conveyancing paperwork my solicitor sent me.

However I went to register on the Thames Water website but when I did the address finder part on their website using my postcode it just came up with the main address of the property, i.e. it said 25 Anonymous Road as opposed to breaking it down by flat number so 25a, 25b and 25c - There are three other flats in the building as it's a Victorian conversion.

I am a bit hesitant to select the address as i don't want to be lumbered with a bill for the whole property.

This might sound stupid but I am a FTB and so am not too sure on protocol with these sorts of things.

Cardew

On these conversions there is often a lot of confusion, and sometimes plain deceit.

Firstly have you a meter? If yes do you know for certain which is your meter?

Many conversion flats don't have meters, either because the water company cannot fit them, or it was found advantageous to remain on charges based on the Rateable value(RV).

We have had cases on MSE where one flat paid the RV charges and the other flats paid nothing. Or all flats paid the same RV charges based on the original house before conversion.

If you haven't a meter, you can apply for one. If a meter cannot be fitted you are entitled to an assessed charge - look up the charges on the website. However you must apply for a meter to kick start the procedure.

richdeniro

Cardew wrote: »

On these conversions there is often a lot of confusion, and sometimes plain deceit.

Firstly have you a meter? If yes do you know for certain which is your meter?

Many conversion flats don't have meters, either because the water company cannot fit them, or it was found advantageous to remain on charges based on the Rateable value(RV).

We have had cases on MSE where one flat paid the RV charges and the other flats paid nothing. Or all flats paid the same RV charges based on the original house before conversion.

If you haven't a meter, you can apply for one. If a meter cannot be fitted you are entitled to an assessed charge - look up the charges on the website. However you must apply for a meter to kick start the procedure.

Definitely no meter - Conveyancing report mentioned that too and just said that Thames Water were the water provider.

Cardew

Well your flat will:

A. Have its own Rateable value(RV) as a flat - could only happen if conversion was before April 1990.

B. Be on an assessed charge.

C. Have no water charges - which is illegal.

D Paying charges for the whole property based on the RV of the house before conversion to flats. Just one flat may be paying at that rate, or all 4!

Option B would be the best option IMO, especially if you are a single occupant.

I would question the other occupants.

richdeniro

Thank you - might give Thames Water a call.