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

twopenny

Got to admit that it worried me when I moved to a property with a water meter because I didn't have anything previous to go on.

A lot may depend on the company you are with but I pay a set amount by DD and get a credit if I haven't used that much by the end of the month. The same would apply if I moved again. I'd inform them and get a refund or credit.

And they were very helpful when I rang up over a couple of various matters.

silvercar

Bev_deV said:

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.

You can cancel your direct debit through your bank. Then submit a meter reading and wait for your bill.

freesha

Bev_deV said:

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.

You absolutely can. I worked for a water company and people did this frequently.

jimjames

Bev_deV said:

matelodave said:

Our meter is usually read twice a year around May and November 

However for some reason, Anglian Water, much like my energy company seem incapable of doing a proper pro-rata estimate based on average consumption. Their consumption "estimate" for the six to eight weeks between the price rise and their meter reading usually suggests that my average monthly consumption suddenly doubles.

I now send them a reading on the 1st April and they use that to properly recalculate the bill and DD. Its usually only a few quid but I object to them taking more than they are entitled to specially when a pro-rata calculation just as easy rather than an incorrect random guess.

This is exactly what the gas/electricity billing does. It's so annoying, I only want to pay for what I use, why aren't we entitled to that!  Thanks for the insight into reality.

You can do that, at least with my water company. Submit reading and get a bill or wait for their half yearly read and bill will be generated automatically based on use for last 6 months.

freesha said:

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

Payment is still taken by DD.

freesha

jimjames said:

Bev_deV said:

matelodave said:

Our meter is usually read twice a year around May and November 

However for some reason, Anglian Water, much like my energy company seem incapable of doing a proper pro-rata estimate based on average consumption. Their consumption "estimate" for the six to eight weeks between the price rise and their meter reading usually suggests that my average monthly consumption suddenly doubles.

I now send them a reading on the 1st April and they use that to properly recalculate the bill and DD. Its usually only a few quid but I object to them taking more than they are entitled to specially when a pro-rata calculation just as easy rather than an incorrect random guess.

This is exactly what the gas/electricity billing does. It's so annoying, I only want to pay for what I use, why aren't we entitled to that!  Thanks for the insight into reality.

You can do that, at least with my water company. Submit reading and get a bill or wait for their half yearly read and bill will be generated automatically based on use for last 6 months.

freesha said:

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

Payment is still taken by DD.

Call them when you have the bill, and pay over the phone with a debit card?

400ixl

Our water meter is a smart meter.

So no guessing involved, however the billing still works on the principle of estimated over a year and a DD set up. Monthly readings shown so that you can check it is on track.

If I really wanted to, there is a bill me to date option but given how easy it is to keep an eye on the monthly usage vs DD it has not been necessary to use it at all.

Will your water meter be a smart meter?

Bev_deV

400ixl said:

Our water meter is a smart meter.

So no guessing involved, however the billing still works on the principle of estimated over a year and a DD set up. Monthly readings shown so that you can check it is on track.

If I really wanted to, there is a bill me to date option but given how easy it is to keep an eye on the monthly usage vs DD it has not been necessary to use it at all.

Will your water meter be a smart meter?

it isn't a smart meter no.

Bev_deV

Robin9 said:

@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 ?

they have estimated it will increase, not reduce. We pay via DD at the moment.

dunstonh

Bev_deV said:

Robin9 said:

@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 ?

they have estimated it will increase, not reduce. We pay via DD at the moment.

All you need to do is give a reading either just after an estimate or in advance of when a bill is due.  Dead easy.

jimjames

freesha said:

jimjames said:

Bev_deV said:

matelodave said:

Our meter is usually read twice a year around May and November 

However for some reason, Anglian Water, much like my energy company seem incapable of doing a proper pro-rata estimate based on average consumption. Their consumption "estimate" for the six to eight weeks between the price rise and their meter reading usually suggests that my average monthly consumption suddenly doubles.

I now send them a reading on the 1st April and they use that to properly recalculate the bill and DD. Its usually only a few quid but I object to them taking more than they are entitled to specially when a pro-rata calculation just as easy rather than an incorrect random guess.

This is exactly what the gas/electricity billing does. It's so annoying, I only want to pay for what I use, why aren't we entitled to that!  Thanks for the insight into reality.

You can do that, at least with my water company. Submit reading and get a bill or wait for their half yearly read and bill will be generated automatically based on use for last 6 months.

freesha said:

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

Payment is still taken by DD.

Call them when you have the bill, and pay over the phone with a debit card?

I guess you could do. I prefer the simplicity of a DD as I don't need to think about it, DD is not monthly, only when bill is generated