Landlady won't have work done to enable a water meter to be installed

Hannah_cam

Hello,

I recently moved into a rental property and asked the water company for a meter to be installed. They sent a plumber who did a survey and told me that the property has no internal stop tap (only an "isolation valve"), and that I need to ask my landlady to have the back of a kitchen cupboard cut away to make room for a stop tap to be installed there, so that a meter can be fitted. He also said that it is anyway in the regulations that all properties need to have a stop tap.

So I passed on this information to my landlady (via her agent), and after several weeks and several chasing emails, I finally got a response that the landlady doesn't wish for a meter to be installed because there is only one water supply serving several properties, and therefore it would be too complicated because the others don't want a meter.

I've spoken again to the plumbers who did the survey, and they said that I could have an internal meter, so the only impact on the other properties would be a short interruption to water supply whilst my meter was fitted. I have met some of the neighbours and they are very friendly, so I expect I could ask them when would be a convenient time for the water interruption.

I've forwarded the information from the plumber to the agent, together with a link to a water company website that mentioned that the water regulations require a stop tap, but I'm not overly hopeful.

My contract for my house states that I need to have the landlord's permission before installing any meters. And I would certainly need permission before removing the back of a cupboard (or presumably there would be a deduction from my deposit).

According to the online calculator from the Consumer Council for Water, my current bill is 2-3 times what I would be paying on a meter, as I live alone and have no dishwasher, bath or hosepipe. And despite being eligible for Universal Credit (which takes into account housing costs), my salary is too high to be eligible for the water company's discounted tariff (which requires a salary of less that £17k per year).

Is there any more I can do?

Thanks

GingerTim

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/paying-your-water-bill/changing-to-a-water-meter/

If you're a tenant, you can still ask 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, you don't need your landlord's permission to have a meter but your tenancy agreement may require you to ask their permission for alterations to the property.

You may need advice if your landlord doesn't agree to you having a meter, as any disagreements could cause problems when renewing the tenancy.

It's the requirement about having works done that seems to be key in your situation. Sadly it seems appealing to your landlady's better nature is all you can do.

Mr.Generous

Check your inventory, is there a picture of the inside of the undersink kitchen unit. No? Thought not. Get the meter fitted.

macman

Would the water co. allow you to go onto assessed billing on the basis that a meter 'cannot be fitted'? 
It would be stretching it a bit, but no harm in asking.

jj_43

Does not seem possible unless the landlady is willing. The disruption to the kitchen is probably the sticking point. Maybe point out the risk of not having a stop tap in the property if there was a leak. Do you know where the external stop tap is?