My building cannot have a meter installed - can I receive refund on water bills?

DaisyGretel1013

I have lived at my property (a flat in a large building) for 6 years. My water bill has always been issued based on estimated usage - not assessed household usage. I was not aware this was a possibility at all!

I applied for a water meter in 2020, but nothing ever came of it. I have recently learned that water meters cannot be installed in my building (I assumed this was the case but now had confirmation) - a large number of flats in my building are on an assessed household usage charge.

My question is - can I request a refund for the bills I have paid in the past and which were all based on estimated charges?

I really did not know of the assessed household usage option when a meter cannot be installed, otherwise I would have requested this switch sooner. I find it unfair that I have been charged incorrectly for so long.

Can anyone help?

QrizB

Welcome to the forum.

My water bill has always been issued based on estimated usage

That seems unlikely. The three usual possibilities are (a) rateable value, where the charge is based on the hypothetical rent that the property would have earned in the 1970s, (b) metered usage, or (c ) assessed usage.

What exactly does your bill say about how your charges are calculated?

My question is - can I request a refund for the bills I have paid in the past and which were all based on estimated charges?

Probably not. But you can ask for assessed billing for future bills.

ffc58

I was paying £70 a month this time last year.Rang up my water company.Said there was 2 of us 68 and 64 years old.

Living in 3 bedroom semi detached house Lowered it instantly to £35 .This year increase to £40 a month.