Water Meters

[ibizaboy]

anyone know if water meters are compulsory.? I live in a council property with a water meter that I chose to have, around 20 years ago. my water supplier wrote to me saying " I might need a new meter as mine might be faulty" it isn't and I don't. do I have to let them fit a new one. no doubt it will be a smart meter. and again it isn't my property, I rent. thanks.

[mikey4444]

Off the top of my head, if the Council wants to fit a new water meter, then let them do. They are a simple mechanical device. But they have no right to impose new conditions on you.

But I am unsure if a smart water meter is quite the same as a smart lecky or gas meter ?

[gingejbee]

Your water company has legal powers to fit a water meter in areas where the Secretary of State has determined "serious water stress"...so it depends on your supplier and where you live as to whether metered supplies are compulsory. If you already have a meter, there's no going back (after 20 years).

[gingejbee]

mikey...it may be a council property, but the fitting of a new meter is nothing to do with them. Smart water meters are a fairly new thing being trialled, and they do similar things to a smart energy meter.

[woofgang]

If you are a council tenant then its up to the council, your landlord to make the decision about the meter.

[gingejbee]

woofgang...if you are a tenant for longer than six months, then you have a right to ask for a water meter to be fitted...the contract is between the water provider and the tenant - not the landlord.

[woofgang]

Yes indeed but this is replacement of an existing meter.....

[Old_Geezer]

In my experience it is the company that fits what it wants and doesn't care what the customer requires. I think it's wrong they are able to.

[gingejbee]

woofgang...yes, indeed, I did read, and understand, the OP...I was pointing out that the contract is between the tenant and the water supplier....the landlord has no say in what is being done.
Hence, the water supplier contacting the tenant - not the landlord.

[dannyk13]

Surley, if you rent, the water meter is the property of the owner of the building.

[gingejbee]

^^^No, water meters are owned, checked, maintained, repaired and replaced by the supplying water company...no different to gas and electricity meters- owned by the company that supplies the energy.

[dannyk13]

Is it not the property owner's decision as to what equipment is installed?

[gingejbee]

danny....think about it. You want a gas supply- it comes with a way of measuring gas consumed ie a meter. Similarly, electricity....meter.
And, if you are in the position of the OP and are not on a flat-rate (ie unmetered) water supply...you get a meter.

[ibizaboy]

thankyou for all your answers. having been in touch with the council they said the water company should contact them first if they wish to change a meter in one of there properties. however it still remains a mystery wether I actually need a " replacement" meter or not. theres nothing wrong with my current one.

[dannyk13]

If they can't read your meter from outside the premises, then that is probably why they want to change it for one that has that facility.