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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think water company is taking the piss?

107 replies

canigooutyet · 10/04/2021 13:32

My water used to be tacked onto my rent. This has changed this year and just received the bill. No chance of a water meter to reduce the costs as its a block of flats according to them (not sure if this is true or if they are trying to pull a fast one)

£44.50 a month for two of us. My electric is cheaper than this!!

OP posts:
PaquitaVariation · 10/04/2021 13:35

Many blocks of flats have water meters.

FireflyRainbow · 10/04/2021 14:01

YABU that's reasonable.

Lockheart · 10/04/2021 14:03

£22 per person per month? That seems very reasonable to me.

FireflyRainbow · 10/04/2021 14:03

And many flats can't have water meters. My block couldn't.

LesserBother · 10/04/2021 14:06

Whereabouts in the country are you? Water costs are quite variable, e.g. the southwest is more expensive.

But if you can't get a meter fitted you should be able to go onto an average value (assuming current rate is based on rateable value).

We pay around 15 a month for two people.

Gizlotsmum · 10/04/2021 14:07

Is that water only or sewerage too? You should be able to get a water meter but it can be more complicated on flats , especially if converted houses rather than purpose built flats. If you can’t have a meter that will be on the rateable value, worth checking you are in the tight council tax band etc and how many bedrooms you have. That probably isn’t too far out for water and sewerage but the company should be able to explain it all if you call/ contact them

LesserBother · 10/04/2021 14:13

Assessed charge tariff I think it's called if a meter can't be fitted. In this area a flat would be about 25 a month on this tariff

FOJN · 10/04/2021 14:19

I think it depends on where you are in the country, some places are more expensive than others. If you're in the South West then that sounds quite cheap for water rates.

Planty13 · 10/04/2021 14:19

They also sounds pretty normal to me

Original poster
canigooutyet · 10/04/2021 14:25

THe charge is water and wastewater,
It's an assessed household charge.
London which I know we already pay more for everything.

Just really shocked at the increase of around £15 a month. We knew how we would be getting billed was changing, but there has never been any mention of a hike.

Yea I'm already on the correct Council tax rate. Resolved that one several years ago.

OP posts:
Subordinateclause · 10/04/2021 14:31

I think it does seem high. We pay £27 in a 5 bed house (2 adults 2 little ones).

FOJN · 10/04/2021 14:33

London which I know we already pay more for everything.

If you are served by Thames water then they are the cheapest in the country Shock

Mintjulia · 10/04/2021 14:34

You think 73p a day each for water and sewage is too expensive?

Are you in the South East. I have a water meter, there are two of us and I pay about the same.

KoalaOok · 10/04/2021 14:35

Seems about right to me

carrieeee · 10/04/2021 14:35

Seems about right, actually think it's reasonable for waste and fresh water.

BrizzleMaverick · 10/04/2021 14:41

We may just under this about £38-40 per month and we have two adults and two kids. We are also in the southwest but do have a water meter.
I would say that is expensive for just the two of you.

gggrrrargh · 10/04/2021 15:45

I think it’s high. Mine is £21 a month in the south for 1 adult 1 child, but we don’t have a dishwasher or run the washing machine too much

Original poster
canigooutyet · 10/04/2021 15:59

I have a small dishwasher and pop it on when it gets filled. Washing machine used a couple of times a week.

It's a purpose built block of flats.

Will ask them exactly why a meter cannot be fitted for those who want one.

Paying direct is new to me, was shocked when I got the bill thinking this cannot be right surely.

Shame really it's not like other utilities and other providers available to get a better comparison. Thankfully I do have the money to cover the extra cost.

Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
Jumpers268 · 10/04/2021 16:02

We pay £39 a month in the South East. 2 adults, 1 child and we're on a meter.

user1495884673 · 10/04/2021 16:04

If they are charging for wastewater as well, then they are literally taking the piss.

I'll get my coat...

poppycat10 · 10/04/2021 16:05

That sounds very expensive. We pay £22 in the south east for three of us on a meter.

I would definitely push back and ask if you can have a meter. They can be installed in flats if the water supply can be separated so I guess it depends what the set-up is.

Charley50 · 10/04/2021 16:06

I live in a small block of flats. Thames Water fitted mine with a water meter. My bills were extortionate before that; nearly £600 a year. MUCH lower now. Apparently unmetered water prices in London are linked to affluence of postcode!

Shouldhavedoneitsooner · 10/04/2021 16:09

Check your bill. Thames water sets your direct debits over 8 months for some reason so the monthly outgoing is high and then you have a third of the year with no bill at all.

Exhausted4ever · 10/04/2021 16:10

@user1495884673

If they are charging for wastewater as well, then they are literally taking the piss.

I'll get my coat...

Damn you beat me to it
LemmysAceCard · 10/04/2021 16:16

Not on a meter but my new bill from United Utilities is £780. It’s a bloody rip off.