FORCED TO MOVE TO METERED WATER - CAN I PAY FOR ACTUAL USE?

kazwookie

I read my own meter when I get the bill to check it is right, then I pay it.

I can also enter my own reading on line and it will adjust the bill to my reading, (I take a photo at the same time, just in case)

teaselMay

Bev_deV said:

teaselMay said:

I do exactly that. I didn't until about 6 months ago but was keen to avoid the swinging credit/debt surplus on my water account because use varied from their estimate between readings. 

I'm with United Utilities and just read the meter and submit the reading each month. They take however much I've used from the account balance and sometimes recalculate the bill for the next 12 months amending the direct debit to fit their new estimate based on the new readings. I've reduced my bill from 50 odd to 32 by doing that. 

So you still pay an estimated amount each month, but submit a monthly reading?

No, they estimate your total usage over the next year from your usage over the previous year and set your direct debit at 1/12 of the cost of that and the standing charge. Left to their own devices they read the meter every six months and adjust the direct debit to reflect the new estimate for the coming 12 months.

Because I wanted to reduce my bill, by reducing my usage, and also get out of the over and under estimate cycle we'd been in, especially as I'm moving soon and didn't want a bill when we move, I started reading my meter and giving them the readings each month.

This means that once a month, the day that I provide the reading, they deduct from my water account (the one the direct debit has been paid into) the cost of the water that I've used since the previous reading. They also adjust the direct debit for the coming 12 months if that amount is significantly different to their previous estimate. In doing that I know that when I move out I won't owe anything to United Utilities and they may owe me about £20 depending when in the month we move.

MattMattMattUK

Bev_deV said:

From April, I have not choice but to switch to metered water billing.

SES say that we have to pay an estimated amount monthly, and they will read the meter at least once a year. They call it a 'budget plan'. But this only seems to work for their budget, not mine!

I really don't want to get into another account in credit situation as with my electricity and gas. I have the devils job getting a refund each year, I am currently £700 in credit. I know I am entitled to it back, but it's a battle every year.

I want to pay what I actually owe each month, or quarter. This must be legal? I want an actual bill, that I actually pay.

An estimated bill is an "actual bill" legally. Just because it has estimated rather than actual usage does not mean it is not a bill.

Bev_deV said:

Does anyone know if I am entitled to cancel this direct debit, if they can't give me an actual bill? and submit a meter reading and pay what I actually owe?

You can cancel your Direct Debit, but that would be pointless. If you submit a meter read every month they will bill based on the actual read, if you do not then they will estimate. 

Bev_deV said:

My daughter and son-in-law have had a terrible time with SES, they bought a house that was previously multi-occupancy, and have had to pay high rates every month, and are now £1,500 in credit - battling to get it back, SES want to just keep it as credit on their account!

That might have been issues with it having been on a business contract etc. 

Bev_deV said:

Any advise please?

Submit a meter reading every month, get billed for what you have used each month. I would also say there is no need to worry as much as you seem to be, if they estimate for a few months it will not cause any issues. 

Brie

This assumes you can read the meter.  We can't on our property as it's under a heavy metal cover in a neighbour's drive.  Not accessible!

That said I've never had any problem with our water companies who have been exceedingly fair about pricing and payments.  Not SES admittedly.

Robin9

@Bev_deV    I assume   your water bill at present is based on Rateable Value.

How do you pay it ?

Has SES given you an estimate as to how much your bill will reduce on metering ?

Bev_deV

QrizB said:

"Paying for actual usage" is the very reason why you would choose a water meter.

Water meters are usually read once or twice a year; you could probably provide a reading more often, but I'm not sure why you'd want to.

For exactly the reason I explained in the post - I don't want to get into a credit/debit situation, I want to know I've paid for my use, and that only, each month.

Bev_deV

freesha said:

Of course you can cancel the DD and pay in full on receipt of bill.

They are telling me I can't do this - I don't see why not, as you say, I'd just be paying the bill.

teaselMay

In that case a meter is exactly what you need. It's simple, every month right from the start provide a reading. That way they'll know right from the start how much you're using and bill accordingly.

They're really not something to worry about. Without a meter you're paying how much an algorithm suggests a property of your places size and occupancy will use. i.e. a guessed amount

Bev_deV

MattMattMattUK said:

Bev_deV said:

From April, I have not choice but to switch to metered water billing.

SES say that we have to pay an estimated amount monthly, and they will read the meter at least once a year. They call it a 'budget plan'. But this only seems to work for their budget, not mine!

I really don't want to get into another account in credit situation as with my electricity and gas. I have the devils job getting a refund each year, I am currently £700 in credit. I know I am entitled to it back, but it's a battle every year.

I want to pay what I actually owe each month, or quarter. This must be legal? I want an actual bill, that I actually pay.

An estimated bill is an "actual bill" legally. Just because it has estimated rather than actual usage does not mean it is not a bill.

Bev_deV said:

Does anyone know if I am entitled to cancel this direct debit, if they can't give me an actual bill? and submit a meter reading and pay what I actually owe?

You can cancel your Direct Debit, but that would be pointless. If you submit a meter read every month they will bill based on the actual read, if you do not then they will estimate. 

Bev_deV said:

My daughter and son-in-law have had a terrible time with SES, they bought a house that was previously multi-occupancy, and have had to pay high rates every month, and are now £1,500 in credit - battling to get it back, SES want to just keep it as credit on their account!

That might have been issues with it having been on a business contract etc. 

Bev_deV said:

Any advise please?

Submit a meter reading every month, get billed for what you have used each month. I would also say there is no need to worry as much as you seem to be, if they estimate for a few months it will not cause any issues. 

Based on friends and family experience, it has definitely caused issues - well, if you call SES sitting on hundreds of pounds of customers money in credit an issue, I do, I'd rather that money was in my own account, not theirs.

My daughters case wasn't a business contract, it was that they based the estimate on previous residents, who had 12 people living in the property as a multi-occupancy, there's now only 2 of them in the house.

Bev_deV

teaselMay said:

In that case a meter is exactly what you need. It's simple, every month right from the start provide a reading. That way they'll know right from the start how much you're using and bill accordingly.

They're really not something to worry about. Without a meter you're paying how much an algorithm suggests a property of your places size and occupancy will use. i.e. a guessed amount

These guesses always seem to be in the suppliers favour though!  I will read the meter each month, including on the first day of switch over.  I've asked if they will be reading the meter on 1st April and had no response, so how they can accurately bill us is beyond me.  I'll read the meter and take a photo myself.