Thames Water - No meter install possible so AHC. Refund due?

BernieLondon

Good morning

I had a visit from a Thames Water Engineer who confirmed that a water meter installation was not possible so I am being "moved" to an AHC tariff. I received a communication from Thames Water to inform that my yearly charge is being reduced by almost £400 & a revised bill will be sent in the coming weeks.

Out of curiosity I wonder how likely it will be I will receive a credit or refund on any past bills? Am I under a delusion thinking I was overcharged for years? 😂

Anyone had a similar experience from their water provider?

peteuk

Is this internal or external?

Am I under a delusion thinking I was overcharged for years? You should have been on a fixed charge prior to the engineers visit, as it seems they can not meter you they will put you on a AHC tariff, I'm note sure how your charge is reduced by £400 as my fixed rate is £375.

How likely it will be I will receive a credit or refund on any past bills? past bills highly unlikely, until the point of fitting or deciding they cant fit, is the point of change. Put another way if they fitted a meter and your usage was high, would you then expect to pay more for the years you didnt have a meter?

Current bill - potentially, Thames water invoices are not clear - take a look at the costs on the bill from March this will be your rate for April 26 - March 27. I'm not sure if this is prorated or totally refunded and the AHC tariff applied for the whole year or partial year.

Once the bill is sorted then you can see if this means you have payments to make or if you are credit, if in credit then you may ask for its return.

BernieLondon

Thank you for the reply.

I live a small block of flats - a two bedroom abode. The water supply is shipped into each flat via a large tank on the roof so each flat cannot have an individual meter. My last yearly bill was £1015 & I pay around £85 per month. The new charge should be around £660 a year - around £55 a month.

As you said the new charge will probably start from the new date or point of change. I have a sneaking suspicion any form of refund will be unlikely. But, can hope I suppose! At least I will be paying less so not all bad.

Thanks again.

peteuk

Did they check for an internal water meter? Does each flat have a stopcock?

Check the start date of the bill, I would suggest its 01 April 26 - 31 Mar 27. So you technically will be billed for 6 months on that bill (just over 01 April to X Oct) so they will should bill you for that period. On change to the AHC tariff the rest of the year will be billed at the new rate.

So you might not get a rebate but your payments should go down.

BernieLondon

Thank you for the reply.

The Thames Water Engineer who called said each flat has a separate stopcock for main water supply as well the bathroom and toilet. There are 22 blocks with 44 flats each spread over 2 estates. Each flat has to have a visit from an engineer to confirm what they already know. All the flats are exactly the same. Despite the fact that our local council have confirmed to Thames Water that it is not possible for any one flat to have an individual water meter - the visits have to happen. A ridiculous waste of time and money.

Anyway - mini rant over! As you said I will very likely just be billed for the rest of the year at the new rate. And very little chance of a rebate! 😁

Thanks again.