AIBU to think fitting a water meter can put off potential buyers?

[Mydietstartstomorrow]

That really. Our house is on the market, I'm moving out and estranged husband moving back in till the house sells. He wants to put a water meter in to reduce his water bill but I am worried this may put potential buyers off. Would it put you off buying?

ah, so much for caring about the planet. Note that it is the ones with kids who want licence to use as much water as they like.

I'm in forrin and have 2 meters (and tarifs) one for incoming one for waste water.

It's swings and roundabouts really, some people are better off on a meter so it depends what sort of buyers you're likely to attract? Anyone can have a meter put in so not having one shouldn't put anyone off.

New residents have to get one fitted where I live too so no issue.

I've moved around quite a bit and have never lived in a house that didn't have a water meter.

I'd be more surprised, if I were looking at buying a house, if it didn't have a water meter. I just assume it's the norm now.

Can't imagine it would put anyone off.

Just googled it, out of interest, and in 2016/17 51% of homes in the UK had water meters. I imagine that it's even more now, so it would seem the majority are metered.

I'd prefer not to have a meter because I don't like the idea of water being something I'll try to ration and save. (I live in Birmingham where our water is piped from rainy Wales so shortages are not an issue for us.) I don't mind making an effort to save electricity and gas but I somehow feel different about water, maybe because it's essential for life.

But I wouldn't make it a dealbreaker when house buying.

On mumsnet threads when people ask why their house isn't selling I've never, never seen anyone ask about the water metering arrangements.

I think even if people have a preference it's really unlikely to stop them actually buying a house over.

Do people seriously go to house viewings and ask about the water meter? Because they seem to mostly consider price, area, schools, commute, living space, number of bedrooms etc etc?

I think 20 years ago when meters were first coming in water rates were much lower and getting a meter did end up more expensive. However rates have gone up a lot since then and are effectivly 'worst case' so nowadays unless you are a very large family or a student house with every room a bedroom the meter is probably cheaper.

I'd be paying £134 per month for unmetered water and sewerage charges in the South West. I pay about £40 a month for metered water and sewerage. I don't know anyone who pays rates on South West Water supply- everyone has a meter, it's just too expensive otherwise.

We are a family of six. We chose to have one installed when we moved into our current house. Our water bills went down.

Cohle but judging by this thread clearly some would be put off by a water meter! The majority not, but some would, and I don't want to do anything that MIGHT put people off!
It's a 3 bed house, with the potential to be 5 bed, so mainly aimed at families.
Dont know why not having a meter would put some off though, you just then put one in when you buy it! 🤷‍♀️

@Fidgety31 thats a huge amount, are there a lot of you? I'd be checking for leaks tbh unless you have a swimming pool.

Cohle but judging by this thread clearly some would be put off by a water meter!

Yes, but (and I'm sure I'm about to get many replies violently disagreeing with me) I just wonder how many of those posters would actually not buy a house they liked and could afford over this issue.

I'm sure people do care, I just don't think many would care that much when push came to shove.

Not at all.

Almost all the houses round our way have them. Southern Water have a programme of fitting them wherever possible and our area was one of the first to be done.

Our water bills went down by 2/3.

We live in a row of houses that can't have water meters installed, something to do with sharing pipes with next door. With the kids' baths and paddling pools and running the washer several times a day, I wouldn't move to a house with a meter until the kids had left home.

In my area when you buy a house without a meter they install one whether you want it or not.

I'd never consider a house with one fitted.

6 adults and 2 dogs..... not a chance.

Yes it would put me off. Stupidly bought mine without asking and it does have a water meter. With 2 kids my water charge was going up and up. I'd definitely ask if I were to buy again and wouldn't entertain a house with one in whilst my kids are still at home. Luckily I managed to get a warersure tariff put in place and that has reduced my bill for now.

And for comparison my meter was costing £65 a month and going up, now costs £34 a month which is the same as my previous unmetered house.

We save a ridiculous amount of money being on a meter! It was here when we moved in and we wasn’t happy about it, but once we realised it was half the price we was paying for a flat (2 adults in 1 bedroom, now 2 adults and 2 children in a 3 bedroom house). We do swimming pools, change the fish tank, fill the hot tub, water all the plants ect and it’s cheaper, I don’t know how but it is. If we was to move we would have a water meter put in for sure

Wouldn’t put me off as we’ve always found it cheaper with a meter.

We moved in December and first thing we arranged was for a meter to be put in.

Pretty much everyone has one where I live, so wouldn’t even think about it.

I had one put in when we moved in. Charge went down from £65pcm to £20pcm! We bath every night, water plants, shower mornings, do all the usual. Saved us over £500 a year. I think it does depend on your water provider though but I would be amazed, considering how much water we use that anyone could actually use £65 a month of water!

I think water companies automatically fit meters when a house sells these days, you don't get a choice. Might even be a legal requirement for them to do so.

Not at all, new houses always have them and it doesn't put people off.