paying for water I don't use

[xraanswerban]

Hi, I am a live in 24/7 carer in York,
for the last 10 years I have been paying for water at my own home in York what I don't use,
I must have paid over £2000 for a product I don't use.
I phoned the water board and they say I have to pay no mater what,
as there is a £75 a year charge on a water meter I don't want that as once they install one it can never be taken out.
Anther way is to have the water board cut the system off, but there is a charge of £300 and £400 to be re-connected.
A simple way would be just to not pay.
What do you think!
thank you for your help.

[smart1]

Well, seems like the water meter is the cheaper option, and if there is only you at your own home in York, it would be far better for you anyway, when you eventually start living there full time. I REALLY wish I could have a water meter, as I live alone and it would save me boodles.

[MarkRae]

Chances are if you refuse to pay they will simply hand the debt over to a debt collection agency, which will almost certainly end up costing you more in the long run...

[mxyzptlk]

And a water means you only pay for what you use

[redcrx]

you have 2 years after installation of a water meter to ask for it to be removed, i believe.

do you really never use this property at all? never visit, use the tap / loo etc?

[gingejbee]

Your water company will revert to un-metered billing up to 12 months after installation, if you change your mind . They DO NOT remove the meter, however.

[xraanswerban]

redcrx
I visit once a week to check the house over and collect any mail, thats it.

[xraanswerban]

EDDIE51,
I have to leave my house empty in case my patient passes away, this could happen anytime,
so I can't let my house to anyone.

[Nosha123]

I'm guessing that you have paid water rates... well had you had a meter fitted years ago you would have only paid for the water used.. plus a standing charge which would have been cheaper than what you have paid.. for using NO water.

I presume you are paying council tax too... and electric.... so you will have to pay the water too.. but as a single person occupancy who is never there a meter would be cheaper for you!

[McMouse]

I assume you pay Council tax, gas/electricity, telephone, building and contents insurance etc. You own a house........these are the costs that go with it, including water. Next thing we know people will start looking for rebates because they've gone on holiday.

[factor-fiction]

A water meter seems the obvious answer

[tamborine]

Its the only service bill I get without VAT.....if they can do it why cant the others ?

[Purple_Popple]

someone once told me thay cant 'cut off' your water supply, water being the staff of life etc etc....although not sure if this is completely right ??? How is it you have been charged for something you dont use then ? I would delay paying for as long as possible, see what they do.

[gingejbee]

PP: it's an unmetered water supply - you have a fixed charge per year, no matter how much (or little) water you use. The sensible option would have been to ask for a metered supply years ago.

[boxtops]

I've got a water meter - it really is the cheapest option, swapping from an unmetered supply has saved us hundreds of pounds a year.

Yes you will pay the £75, but if you don't use any water, that is all you will pay. Doesn't paying £75 seem more attractive than paying £2K for water on an unmetered arrangement? To me it's a no-brainer, and it's only putting off the day when getting a water meter will be mandatory.

You can't not pay now for charges you have incurred in the past two years, you owe it you pay it, you don't want a CCJ on your record, it'll give you all sorts of problems in future.

My recommendations therefore are 1) pay for what you've been charged to date, and 2) get a meter a.s.a.p. That'll prove how much you use (or don't use) in a year, and you only pay for that.

[pink-kittens]

What about your gas and electricity? Do you not pay for them? Of course you do, so would you think you dont have to pay your water rates?
Get a meter fitted, it's far cheaper