Thames water meter saying I’ve refused because I don’t want kitchen cupboards ruined

Spikeygran

Depending on the water charges, and whether your daughter grows vegetables etc, or uses the washing machine more than average, and how long you plan to keep the house,  paying for the meter fitting outside might be a reasonable investment. It might be worth getting a quote just to see where you stand.

I was in a high charge area 30 years ago and cut my monthly bills by more than half once on a meter.  They did their best to talk me out of it back then, saying there would be minimal savings.  I did have water butts but the hose got used when necessary for fruit and veg,  and I definitely did more than the average laundry.

It seems some companies may do a reduced rate for single occupancy?  See citizens advice bureau link below.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/help-with-paying-your-water-bills/

QrizB

Spikeygran said:

It seems some companies may do a reduced rate for single occupancy?

There are three ways your water bill can be calculated.

You can pay water rates, which is the usual unmetered charge.

Or you can have a meter, and pay the metered cost.

Or, if you request a meter and your supplier finds that's your property is unable to have one, you can ask for an assessed charge. This will take into account the size of the property and the number of occupants.

OP's daughter's property is suitable for a meter, and so won't qualify for an assessed charge.

Spikeygran

born_again said:

Spikeygran said:

I dont think I'd want one in a kitchen cupboard either, purely from losing the cupboard space.  I would expect some condension in the winter and maybe some noise from the water flow.  

Why do you think you would get noise from a water meter?
Condensation is already there on the pipes that run to sink.

Ours is under sink. Takes up no more room than the pipes do.

Put noisy water meter into an internet search, everything from air, debris from works, change in pressure ................. 5 common reasons apparently.   

Could you add a photo of yours, it might help the OP?    Sometime when workers describe the process it sounds a lot worse than it actual is.  

Emmia

Spikeygran said:

born_again said:

Spikeygran said:

I dont think I'd want one in a kitchen cupboard either, purely from losing the cupboard space.  I would expect some condension in the winter and maybe some noise from the water flow.  

Why do you think you would get noise from a water meter?
Condensation is already there on the pipes that run to sink.

Ours is under sink. Takes up no more room than the pipes do.

Put noisy water meter into an internet search, everything from air, debris from works, change in pressure ................. 5 common reasons apparently.   

Surely that's a self selecting sample... Likely in the minority.

Creamcarpet

FrugaiMacDugal said:

Creamcarpet said:

FrugaiMacDugal said:

Creamcarpet said:

XzavierWalnut said:

Just had the same with Northumbrian Water last week. Told me it would be £400 to dig up the pavement outside the house boundary. Or to rip off the wallpapered wood that boxes the pipes in next to the stopcock.
They also said the metre would stick out the wall a few inches in the kitchen.
I told them to cancel my request.

Thanks.  That’s what I will be doing, but wondered if they would now reduce the dd based on her being a single person, rather than the size of the house.  

All the more reason to get a meter fitted.

Circles, going round in….do you remember that song?

Mmm, before my time.

😂😂😂 you missed out then

Creamcarpet

Spikeygran said:

Depending on the water charges, and whether your daughter grows vegetables etc, or uses the washing machine more than average, and how long you plan to keep the house,  paying for the meter fitting outside might be a reasonable investment. It might be worth getting a quote just to see where you stand.

I was in a high charge area 30 years ago and cut my monthly bills by more than half once on a meter.  They did their best to talk me out of it back then, saying there would be minimal savings.  I did have water butts but the hose got used when necessary for fruit and veg,  and I definitely did more than the average laundry.

It seems some companies may do a reduced rate for single occupancy?  See citizens advice bureau link below.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/help-with-paying-your-water-bills/

Thank you.  She’s only got a small kitchen and the cupboard where the stopcock is located at the back is quite small anyway.  The pics I’ve seen of the meters look like they would take up quite a bit of space.  The dd was about £45 a month now it’s gone up to £63 which I think is high for someone on their own.  That’s why I gave in to the meter but assumed it would go out the front, not thinking for one minute I’d have to pay for it to be installed 😳 

Spoonie_Turtle

Creamcarpet said:

Spikeygran said:

Depending on the water charges, and whether your daughter grows vegetables etc, or uses the washing machine more than average, and how long you plan to keep the house,  paying for the meter fitting outside might be a reasonable investment. It might be worth getting a quote just to see where you stand.

I was in a high charge area 30 years ago and cut my monthly bills by more than half once on a meter.  They did their best to talk me out of it back then, saying there would be minimal savings.  I did have water butts but the hose got used when necessary for fruit and veg,  and I definitely did more than the average laundry.

It seems some companies may do a reduced rate for single occupancy?  See citizens advice bureau link below.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/help-with-paying-your-water-bills/

Thank you.  She’s only got a small kitchen and the cupboard where the stopcock is located at the back is quite small anyway.  The pics I’ve seen of the meters look like they would take up quite a bit of space.  The dd was about £45 a month now it’s gone up to £63 which I think is high for someone on their own.  That’s why I gave in to the meter but assumed it would go out the front, not thinking for one minute I’d have to pay for it to be installed 😳 

You don't have to, though.  You're choosing to forgo the free installation.

subjecttocontract

Just tell them you are not refusing to have a meter installed, provided it's installed out front & at their cost. Then if they won't do it, it's them refusing to provide you with a satisfactory meter installation.

Emmia

subjecttocontract said:

Just tell them you are not refusing to have a meter installed, provided it's installed out front & at their cost. Then if they won't do it, it's them refusing to provide you with a satisfactory meter installation.

From the perspective of the water company they are offering a cost free option - the fact the OP has an issue with the free option for whatever reason isn't the fault of the company. 

I think if the OP really wants installation on the pavement etc., then they need to pay for it. 

Swipe

Emmia said:

Creamcarpet said:

Not that it’s anyone’s business, but being as you so interested I pay the bills on my daughters house which she owns without a mortgage- ooh that’s interesting eh?
Those interested in the bill payment and why I deem it will ruin the kitchen, seem to make an awful lot of comments on this forum-go troll someone else if you don’t have the answer to my question.

Edit: As someone with a meter in the street, having it in a cupboard in the kitchen would make reading it more convenient.

And not under a foot of cow manure and rain water that has to be scooped out by hand in my case during wet spells.