Water meters and landlord permission

Lenzar

I have moved to a new home. The property I'm living in does not currently have a water meter, and the water company want an astonishing £61 a month. I (currently) live on my own and I have used an online calculator that suggests I use nowhere near that much water. Therefore I wish to install a water meter. I have noticed that the other houses on this street are mostly metered and these meters are located outside of the houses, accessible as you'd expect from a small hatch on the pavement.

Will I need my landlord's permission to have a meter installed? There is nothing in the tenancy that mentions meters of any kind.

QrizB

Personally, I'd have one fitted then seek forgiveness afterwards (a long time afterwards, after I've moved out). The water meter and the pipe it fits onto are the water company's property, not your landlord's.

MattMattMattUK

Lenzar said:

I have moved to a new home. The property I'm living in does not currently have a water meter, and the water company want an astonishing £61 a month. I (currently) live on my own and I have used an online calculator that suggests I use nowhere near that much water. Therefore I wish to install a water meter. I have noticed that the other houses on this street are mostly metered and these meters are located outside of the houses, accessible as you'd expect from a small hatch on the pavement.

Will I need my landlord's permission to have a meter installed? There is nothing in the tenancy that mentions meters of any kind.

It will depend where the water meter is, for most houses the meter is sited in the pavement. 

Cardew

This from the Ofwat website:

'Water meters – your questions answered

I am a tenant. Can I still apply for a meter?

If you live in rented accommodation, you still have the right to apply for a meter.
We recommend that you ask your landlord’s permission before applying for a
meter. If you have a fixed-term tenancy agreement of less than six months, you
must ask the landlord’s permission.

If your fixed-term tenancy agreement is longer than six months, your landlord
cannot stop you from having a meter. However, you may need their consent to
alter or improve their property.'

jimjames

I guess it also depends on your location. In some areas it is mandatory for all properties that can to have a meter which will make your life easier if the company require it