Estimated water bill - business

Molly_Magic_2

The monthly payment for our water has increased from £122 per month to over £1,500pm. This is based on estimations.
Apparently we are only allowed one meter reading per year and there is a backlog so this won’t be done before August. 

Castle Water refuse to allow us to pay the lower amount (which was reduced last year due to the original amount being overestimated) until they can read the meter. 
Castle Water can provide no explanation as to why they think we are using 13 times more water than we did this time last year.  

Any advice on what we can do?

The meter is not accessible for us to read it ourselves. Castle Water advise that it is the tenants responsibility to be able to access the meter and blame Thames Water for installing it in an inaccessible place. It is not located on land owned by us. In addition Castle Water advise that the cover requires a key. They cannot provide me with details about the type of key and advise that it is up to us to research and purchase. Is this correct advice?

Robin9

Have you been in contact with the landowner where the meter is ?

Are there other businesses involved ?   If so can you get key details from one of those ?

Molly_Magic_2

There are no other businesses involved however I have been in touch with other businesses in the same sector locally and have confirmed that their water usage is similar to that we have always previously been billed for.
We have an internal water meter, installed by the builder, which confirms the usage (although possibly not as accurate as the official one). 

Castle Water have said that we are unable to cancel the DD without them taking action for non payment. 
We are the only tenant to have occupied the premises since it was built 3 years ago. 2 water meters have been installed in this time as the first failed. Thames Water chose where to locate the 2nd as there were concerns that the first failed due to its location.

Robin9

Wait till the August meter reading - make sure you see the meter reader and get details of the key.

Request a Smart Meter

Jonboy_1984

Can you photograph the cover? Most such key types are common, so the meter reader only carries a couple of types, and readily available online....