Water Bill Query

[Ele-girl]

I have recently spoken to various people about how much their water bills are per annum. I have recently found out that I am paying more than a four person family is. I have contacted my supplier Severn Trent and they have said that there is nothing they can do as I don't have a meter. Even though the family that I spoke to, don't have a meter either. I live by myself in a one bed flat and do not use as much water as a family of four. Severn Trent say thats the way that it is and there is nothing that I can do, and even if I were to get a meter fitted they would not recompensate me for the last three years. Is there anyone who has been in the same situation, or could possibly give me any advice as I really do not know what to do, and cannot afford to keep paying such a high bill.

[Ethel]

Unmetered water is based on the old rateable system, so you could well be paying a lot more than near neighbours.

The higher the rateable value of your property, the higher the water rates are, regardless of amount of water used, how many people live there or the size of the property.

If you can go on to a meter do that, otherwise there is nothing you can do. Severn Trent have done nothing wrong - this system has been in place for many years.

[redcrx]

i was lucky in that Anglian Water were unable to fit a meter into my flat and so calculated roughly what my bills would be on a meter and charged me that instead of rateable bill

Ask for a meter to be installed

[buildersmate]

This is an interesting angle, Red.
Are you saying that if a water company declines to fit a meter, one can force them to calculate a payment plan based an assessed usage for the water, not the RV?

[Postdog]

I'd like to know the answer to that too. I CAN have a water meter fitted, but in doing so I would end up losing space in my kitchen, specifically space for a washer, and I can't do that. If there were any legal loopholes that could force them to charge on an estimated meter rate rather than rateable value because a meter would be impossible/impractical, I'd like to know.

[redcrx]

im not saying they all will but certainly 6 years ago when Anglian Water were unable (due to too many pipes running into property) fir a meter they calculated what Id roughly pay if i was on a meter and charged me that. As i was a single occupant, noi washing machine, nor dishwasher and 1 bath a day they had a basic idea what id use and charged me just over that. I then paid �12 a month. This continued until i left the property 3 years ago and i pay nothing now as it is empty.

[redcrx]

i doubt that you can refuse to accept a meter and then force them to lower your bills postdog. I requested a meter but it was AW that said they were unable to fit one following a survey at the property. Being a 2 bed flat the rateable value wouldve meant a bill of around �25-�30 i think.