Water supply - metered or not?
Discussion
Evenin' all,
I'm unsure whether or not this should go in the Business forum but I expect a mod will relocate it if necessary.
In spring, I'm starting off a new business, using the ground floor of my Lake District home as a holiday let.
The incoming fresh water is currently metered and this has saved me some dosh over the last two years' living alone.
I have to make a decision about whether to retain the meter or revert to an unmetred supply. I have to let the provider know by March and this is a one-off thing, regardless of my decision.
A similar business I had two miles away was occpied for 205 nights in 2015 - it was a mixed year and before the Brexit fuss, the lettings were more consistently more numerous.
The business will be open year round and the maximum possible occupancy will be four adults, plus one infant and any pets.The downstairs accommodation has both a shower and a washing machine. I will be living upstairs, alone most of the time.
The question then is which way to jump? It's a difficult thing to forecast but I have the feeling unmetred may be the better option.
By the way, I've tried joining Matin Lewis's money saving web site but it isn't letting me in.
Any thoughts, people? Thanks.
I'm unsure whether or not this should go in the Business forum but I expect a mod will relocate it if necessary.
In spring, I'm starting off a new business, using the ground floor of my Lake District home as a holiday let.
The incoming fresh water is currently metered and this has saved me some dosh over the last two years' living alone.
I have to make a decision about whether to retain the meter or revert to an unmetred supply. I have to let the provider know by March and this is a one-off thing, regardless of my decision.
A similar business I had two miles away was occpied for 205 nights in 2015 - it was a mixed year and before the Brexit fuss, the lettings were more consistently more numerous.
The business will be open year round and the maximum possible occupancy will be four adults, plus one infant and any pets.The downstairs accommodation has both a shower and a washing machine. I will be living upstairs, alone most of the time.
The question then is which way to jump? It's a difficult thing to forecast but I have the feeling unmetred may be the better option.
By the way, I've tried joining Matin Lewis's money saving web site but it isn't letting me in.
Any thoughts, people? Thanks.
Revert.
You've no idea how much water your visitors will use and it would be rubbish if you got stung with a huge bill for their metered usage. At least with an un-metered supply you'll pay a fixed monthly, quarterly or annual fee and that will be consistent so you can build that cost into your rental rates and budget accordingly.
You've no idea how much water your visitors will use and it would be rubbish if you got stung with a huge bill for their metered usage. At least with an un-metered supply you'll pay a fixed monthly, quarterly or annual fee and that will be consistent so you can build that cost into your rental rates and budget accordingly.
Some good points there, thank you.
I just checked with United Utilites and the figures work out this way
The current metered water supply is costing £21.11 per month.
Unmetered would cost £43.83 per month, which is £525.95 for the year.
It obviously all depends on occupancy. However, even a couple staying will mean triple the present demand. I also have to account for the amount of water consumed by the laundry I do at each changeover.
No brainer? Looks that way to me.
I just checked with United Utilites and the figures work out this way
The current metered water supply is costing £21.11 per month.
Unmetered would cost £43.83 per month, which is £525.95 for the year.
It obviously all depends on occupancy. However, even a couple staying will mean triple the present demand. I also have to account for the amount of water consumed by the laundry I do at each changeover.
No brainer? Looks that way to me.
Tomo1971 said:
"To keep the rental prices down as much as I can, I have installed a metered water supply. I would appreciate that you use the water sensibly and within reason. If, after checking the meter after you have left, I reserve the right to reduce your deposit by the excess amount"
That's a real mean spirited notice and just smacks of profiteering by the landlord. Particularly as the property is in the Lake District, home to some of the country's largest reservoirs and where rainfall records are often set.From what the OP has stated, the difference between having metered or unmetered water is less than £25 per month. £10 a week on his rental prices will more than cover that, rather than get people's backs up with parsimonious threats.
davhill said:
Some good points there, thank you.
I just checked with United Utilites and the figures work out this way
The current metered water supply is costing £21.11 per month.
Unmetered would cost £43.83 per month, which is £525.95 for the year.
It obviously all depends on occupancy. However, even a couple staying will mean triple the present demand. I also have to account for the amount of water consumed by the laundry I do at each changeover.
No brainer? Looks that way to me.
I'd go un-metered. We're with UU too and I resisted having a meter until our bills got to £85/mth and neighbours on meters were paying £40.I just checked with United Utilites and the figures work out this way
The current metered water supply is costing £21.11 per month.
Unmetered would cost £43.83 per month, which is £525.95 for the year.
It obviously all depends on occupancy. However, even a couple staying will mean triple the present demand. I also have to account for the amount of water consumed by the laundry I do at each changeover.
No brainer? Looks that way to me.
Your actual water use must be tiny so most of your charge must be standing charges. So it's not going to take much to bump it up - bear in mind for every cubic metre of water used, you also pay a corresponding waste water charge so it ends up near doubling the cost.
I think you'd still likely end up better off on a meter but there would be very little in it and it'll stop you worrying about it.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Thursday 12th January 12:22
davek_964 said:
Do you generally get the choice of whether it's metered or not? I had a notice that I was being put onto metered supply (I'm the owner of the house) - I think some time this month, but it didn't read as if I had a choice.
It's compulsory in some places, and when you move. But if you volunteer then you get a choice. I'm sure it used to be for 12 months but I did just look at UU's website and it is 2yrs now.Might not be the same everywhere. UU is one of the most expensive water suppliers and it's generally a no-brainer to go on a meter here.
All sorted!
I decided to have a water meter fitted when I started living alone in March 2015. From then, I had two years to decide whether to keep the meter or go back to unmetered.
Given the modest use of water, by one person and an insane cat, my bill dwindled to less than half. So far so good.
However, the new business means a greater usage that will be variable. If the premises does well as a holiday let, the bills could be substantial.
Using the sage advice of you good folk, I've done the deed - my water supply will revert to unmetered on 5th March 2017.
I didn't want to start adding provisos to the Ts & Cs. Securing bookings can be a ticklish business, especially at the beginning. My having run a similar business two miles away, for six years, will certainly help.
Incidentally, the meter will remain in its littlle hole in the ground outside. Whoever winds up with the house in the fullness of time will be lumbered with it.
Thanks to all who contributed.
I decided to have a water meter fitted when I started living alone in March 2015. From then, I had two years to decide whether to keep the meter or go back to unmetered.
Given the modest use of water, by one person and an insane cat, my bill dwindled to less than half. So far so good.
However, the new business means a greater usage that will be variable. If the premises does well as a holiday let, the bills could be substantial.
Using the sage advice of you good folk, I've done the deed - my water supply will revert to unmetered on 5th March 2017.
I didn't want to start adding provisos to the Ts & Cs. Securing bookings can be a ticklish business, especially at the beginning. My having run a similar business two miles away, for six years, will certainly help.
Incidentally, the meter will remain in its littlle hole in the ground outside. Whoever winds up with the house in the fullness of time will be lumbered with it.
Thanks to all who contributed.
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