Too pricey?

lapwingbranstone99

Our monthly water bill is currently £103.

We are a young family in a rented property in Yorkshire. 2 adults and 1 baby. Each adult has about 4 showers a week, the baby has a bath every night. We do 2/3 loads of washing a week and do not use a hose pipe. 

Does this seem abit high? Is there anything I can do to query the cost? 

Robin9

Are you on a meter ?   If not get one  - it may well half your bill.

MattMattMattUK

lapwingbranstone99 said:

Our monthly water bill is currently £103.

We are a young family in a rented property in Yorkshire. 2 adults and 1 baby. Each adult has about 4 showers a week, the baby has a bath every night. We do 2/3 loads of washing a week and do not use a hose pipe. 

Does this seem abit high? Is there anything I can do to query the cost? 

Are you on a water meter or a non-metered tariff (also called rateable)?

If you are on a meter it is probably twice what I would expect, if your meter readings are up to date and have been for some time (rather than just one up to date read and many years of estimates) then I would be fairly certain you have a significant leak somewhere. If you are on a non-metered tariff then those can be very expensive to cover high usage, so you would want to get a meter installed.

Baldytyke88

My monthly bill in West Yorkshire is £56, if you are in rented property, changing to a meter may not be an option.

I intend to get a water butt to reduce my usage, washing the car etc can have a big effect.

lapwingbranstone99

Robin9 said:

Are you on a meter ?   If not get one  - it may well half your bill.

Thank you for your reply! Can you get a meter in rented properties do you  know? 

QrizB

lapwingbranstone99 said:

Robin9 said:

Are you on a meter ?   If not get one  - it may well half your bill.

Thank you for your reply! Can you get a meter in rented properties do you  know? 

If your contract does say you can't, then you probably can.

Even if your contract prohibits it, you might still be able to.

la531983

QrizB said:

lapwingbranstone99 said:

Robin9 said:

Are you on a meter ?   If not get one  - it may well half your bill.

Thank you for your reply! Can you get a meter in rented properties do you  know? 

If your contract does say you can't, then you probably can.

Even if your contract prohibits it, you might still be able to.

No landlord will realise that its been changed from ratable to metered until the tenants are long gone, clauses like that in contracts are empty threats.

FrugaiMacDugal

Citzens Advice says,

Tenants also have the right to ask for a meter if their tenancy agreement is for six months or longer.

born_again

lapwingbranstone99 said:

Robin9 said:

Are you on a meter ?   If not get one  - it may well half your bill.

Thank you for your reply! Can you get a meter in rented properties do you  know? 

Ask landlord.
I'm sure they will be happy to have one, as when no one is there, their costs will be less.

cantbelieveit23

Ridiculously high monthly bill.  If you can get a meter, do so.  We are just two adults and our monthly bill is just over £33 (recently increased by £10 to cover maintenance, improvements.  How large is your house?  Usual guidance is metered will be cheaper if you have less people than bedrooms.  Of course, there are other uses for water which can be just as expensive as showers/baths.  Just possible that you might have a leak: your supplier should advise on how to check.