Water Meter - Awkward location for installation

andyuk2005

Hi all,
I hope you're all keeping well during these testing times!
I'm with Thames Water and we currently don't have a water meter. We would like to get a water meter or get onto the Assessed Household Charge.
I requested to get a meter and the engineer arrived.
The location of our stop tap is in an awkward location under the sink, and if we were to get a meter there it means it we wouldn't be able to move it and ruins any plans of a very necessary refurb. The pipework from decades of poor workmanship from previous owners means that it really is a crap position.
Engineer said he would write on the notes that we're thinking of doing a refurb, and that he would put "unmeterable" on there so we should be on the assessed charge.
Problem is office called to say that they'll wait for the refurb and then come back once its done (but may not be done for years). Said there was nothing on the notes saying the location is unmeterable. They said they can come out and do another survey.
My question is can anyone suggest anyways of convincing the engineer that due to the potential future kitchen refurb, and the inconvenience of having a meter there, how we can get on the assessed charge.
Thanks for your help folks and keep well!

Cardew

With respect that smacks of 'want your cake and eat it too'.

If any water company accepted the principle that a future(date not known) refurbishment was grounds for allowing an assessed charge,  loads of people would use the same grounds to get low charges and unlimited water consumption. Indeed why couldn't those with an existing internal water meter apply for an assessed charge on the grounds that a proposed refurbishment etc etc

Nearly all new water meters these days are situated outside the property, presumably that cannot happen with your property?

Norman_Castle

andyuk2005 said:

My question is can anyone suggest anyways of convincing the engineer that due to the potential future kitchen refurb, and the inconvenience of having a meter there, how we can get on the assessed charge.

The inconvenience is caused by you wanting to move the potential meter location. Ask about moving the meter at a later date and compare any costs against savings.

andyuk2005

Yes the meter can't be outside, its a block of flats.
I would be more than happy to have a water meter, but where it would currently be located would cause a nightmare for any refurb.