How to get out of a water meter contract?
Discussion
Bought house in December, previous owners had meter installed 12mths earlier (you are only allowed to cancel it within first 12mths regardless of ownership)
We have a 1 yr old kid and another baby on the way - with all the washing/baths etc.. this is already well over the standard rate (with no meter) so will be even higher when baby no2 arrives.
Does anyone happen to know how we can try to negotiate our way out of this meter.. ?
We have a 1 yr old kid and another baby on the way - with all the washing/baths etc.. this is already well over the standard rate (with no meter) so will be even higher when baby no2 arrives.
Does anyone happen to know how we can try to negotiate our way out of this meter.. ?
Phooey said:
I may be wrong, but i was under the impression that once a meter is fitted, you cannot revert back to non-metered.
I've asked this myself with our water supplier and they said NO
You are not wrong.I've asked this myself with our water supplier and they said NO
And at a change of ownership Water Co's are only allowing people to have metered supply.
Soir said:
Water company says you can remove within 12mths of it being installed. After this time it must stay (even if change of ownership at the house)
there must be someone at UU who can authorise it?!
The original owner (who had the meter installed) can cancel the contract at any time within the first twelve months...there must be someone at UU who can authorise it?!
However, if they sell the house within that 12months, the new occupier cannot have the contract cancelled, even if still within the 12months...
Our water rates are about £300 a year but my brother, who is on a meter with 2 kids to our 3, has to pay £90 a month.
£1080 a year
Before he had the meter the kids left the garden hose running in the winter and it was not noticed for a WEEK!! I wonder what that would have cost?
He is really stressed running around keeping a check on how long they shower for, if they have kept the taps running etc.
£1080 a year
Before he had the meter the kids left the garden hose running in the winter and it was not noticed for a WEEK!! I wonder what that would have cost?
He is really stressed running around keeping a check on how long they shower for, if they have kept the taps running etc.
Phooey said:
I may be wrong, but i was under the impression that once a meter is fitted, you cannot revert back to non-metered.
I've asked this myself with our water supplier and they said NO
I've just had a meter fitted.I've asked this myself with our water supplier and they said NO
The paperwork for mine says that if the bills are higher than they were on estimated rates, I can revert back to non-meter.
Unlikely though, they were extortionate before!
Simpo Two said:
Soir said:
Water company says you can remove within 12mths of it being installed. After this time it must stay (even if change of ownership at the house)
You seem to have answered your question. Ask them to uninstall it as per the contract terms.Was hoping someone in the industry may know a way around it
Soir said:
Simpo Two said:
Soir said:
Water company says you can remove within 12mths of it being installed. After this time it must stay (even if change of ownership at the house)
You seem to have answered your question. Ask them to uninstall it as per the contract terms.Was hoping someone in the industry may know a way around it
Thames Water said that any new occupiers had to have a meter, no matter what was at the property.
Note, that was occupiers, even though I rented out the house I had to change to a meter.
Soir said:
Simpo Two said:
Soir said:
Water company says you can remove within 12mths of it being installed. After this time it must stay (even if change of ownership at the house)
You seem to have answered your question. UU said:
If I move house can the new occupier go back to charges based on the rateable value of the property?
No, this is not an option. All new occupants will be charged for their water services based on their meter readings (even if you have changed back to paying charges based on rateable value).
When moving home you must let the new owner know they will be charged for their water services based on meter readings.
No, this is not an option. All new occupants will be charged for their water services based on their meter readings (even if you have changed back to paying charges based on rateable value).
When moving home you must let the new owner know they will be charged for their water services based on meter readings.
croyde said:
Our water rates are about £300 a year but my brother, who is on a meter with 2 kids to our 3, has to pay £90 a month.
£1080 a year
Before he had the meter the kids left the garden hose running in the winter and it was not noticed for a WEEK!! I wonder what that would have cost?
He is really stressed running around keeping a check on how long they shower for, if they have kept the taps running etc.
FFS ! Mine are prob in area of the £300pa too, sound like your brother might have an underground leak somewhere after the meter.£1080 a year
Before he had the meter the kids left the garden hose running in the winter and it was not noticed for a WEEK!! I wonder what that would have cost?
He is really stressed running around keeping a check on how long they shower for, if they have kept the taps running etc.
Muzzer said:
Phooey said:
I may be wrong, but i was under the impression that once a meter is fitted, you cannot revert back to non-metered.
I've asked this myself with our water supplier and they said NO
I've just had a meter fitted.I've asked this myself with our water supplier and they said NO
The paperwork for mine says that if the bills are higher than they were on estimated rates, I can revert back to non-meter.
Unlikely though, they were extortionate before!
Apart from young families who have the dishwasher/washing machine on thrice daily coping with keeping the little dears vaguely clean. Those people get shafted.
My wife and I don't have a big water bill as we have no kids and no leaks.
GreenDog said:
croyde said:
Our water rates are about £300 a year but my brother, who is on a meter with 2 kids to our 3, has to pay £90 a month.
£1080 a year
Before he had the meter the kids left the garden hose running in the winter and it was not noticed for a WEEK!! I wonder what that would have cost?
He is really stressed running around keeping a check on how long they shower for, if they have kept the taps running etc.
FFS ! Mine are prob in area of the £300pa too, sound like your brother might have an underground leak somewhere after the meter.£1080 a year
Before he had the meter the kids left the garden hose running in the winter and it was not noticed for a WEEK!! I wonder what that would have cost?
He is really stressed running around keeping a check on how long they shower for, if they have kept the taps running etc.
Soon adds up i'm afraid
- Can you take readings off the meter yourself? If so you can check if you have a leak on your side.
- A high proportion of the water rate is usually sewage. We have a 100 year old cess pit which reduces our monthly water bill to less than £9.00
- When next door neighbours had their meter installed their bills dropped even though their domestic water was used in a stable with at least ten horses. There are about eight old baths that are used as water troughs, I'm sure they use more water than your little ones)
Soir said:
Simpo Two said:
Soir said:
Water company says you can remove within 12mths of it being installed. After this time it must stay (even if change of ownership at the house)
You seem to have answered your question. Ask them to uninstall it as per the contract terms.Was hoping someone in the industry may know a way around it
You'll have to wear it.
Sorry.
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