Water Meter Not Present, But United Utilities Claim There was One

JenniRP70

I bought and moved into a house at the end of last year that was sold without a water meter, the paperwork stated one was not fitted and there isn't one on the property.  After a couple of months, UU started calling me about a water meter not giving readings and I questioned them, stating there isn't one.  They're adamant one was fitted but will not provide evidence to prove one existed prior to my purchase.  They've been chasing me ever since and I've been asking them to provide evidence, a worksheet of the installation.

I've today, been offered a couple of options, 1) go onto a Rateable value (which is quite a lot per year), 2) get the meter fitted and pay a single occupant annual charge (my 2 daughters often visit out of Uni time.

I'm keen to know where I stand if the property was marketed without a meter and if UU refuses to prove one was fitted.  I know I can't remove one if it is already fitted, but this is a different scenario.

Many thanks

pochase

What exactly would you like to happen?

The way I understand it they offer to either pay the flat rate or to get a meter installed. That are the two possible ways to pay for water, either flat rate or meter reads.

Getferret

Contact your local Water company who installs water meters they would have the information and work order.

freesha

It might well be true - some water companies fit meters on change of occupier. They should be able to locate it for you though...

Cardew

JenniRP70 said:

I've today, been offered a couple of options, 1) go onto a Rateable value (which is quite a lot per year), 2) get the meter fitted and pay a single occupant annual charge (my 2 daughters often visit out of Uni time.

I'm keen to know where I stand if the property was marketed without a meter and if UU refuses to prove one was fitted.  I know I can't remove one if it is already fitted, but this is a different scenario.

Many thanks

Welcome to the forum.

I am not sure what you have been offered in Option 2 - i.e. 'get the meter fitted and pay a single occupant annual charge'

As far as I am aware there is no single occupant option on a metered tariff.  https://www.unitedutilities.com/my-account/your-bill/our-household-charges-20222023/

The single occupant charge is an assessed tariff for a household where a meter cannot be fitted for technical reasons - fairly common in older flats.

So getting a meter fitted in order to be given a tariff which only available for a property where a meter cannot be fitted, doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

If you have been offered an assessed charge - £259.15 for 2022/23 - it will probaly be better than  metered charges given your two daughter's visits.

I cannot understand why UU simply don't insist a meter is fitted as under the Water Act they are empowered to make a meter mandatory for new account holders.

Regarding where you stand about the marketing of your property. If RV charges are high and metered charges lower, what is your issue?

Even if it was marketed as a house without a meter(nothing to do with UU) they could still insist you get a meter.