Water metering.. can I get back unmetered charges?

[SkayrKrow]

We recently had a water meter fitted (May 2012), after paying unmetered charges for about 10 years at this small 2-bedroom property. The difference in cost is so big that not only are we now in credit but the water company is refunding an amount to us for the previous half-year's bill. Since the amount between being metered and unmetered is so different, I'm wondering if there's any way I can claim back any part of the over-assessed bills that we've paid pre-meter or am I living in a fool's paradise?

[redman41]

With an un metered supply there is no way of telling how much or how little water you have used.
Now that you have a Meter everything can be calculated, and you could end up with a refund at the end of the Year

[factor-fiction]

No. There was no appeal system against the old water rates- the only option if you were unhappy was to go for a meter.
Quite a few people on here saved a fortune by going onto a meter.

[Old_Geezer]

Surely they are not over assesed ? Before metering you were on the rate for that property regardless of how much donmestic water you needed. This was the social conscience way of ensuing all in the community goit the water needed. You've been attracted by the lower charge given to metered water users, offered because the companies like to have that control. So there is no refund for previous water supplied.

[Old_Geezer]

Darned typos !!!!!!!
>:-(

[Nibble]

Unfortunately not, but it just makes me fume as to how much the water companies fleeced out of their customers in years gone past, and how much they're still fleecing the unmetered people, a lot of whom don't have the choice to install a meter, due to size of family/shared mains supply to the propeerty.

[SkayrKrow]

Thanks for your responses. Old_Geezer, I wasn't "attracted by the lower charge given to water metered users" at all.. I was offered the change of having a meter fitted and then to decide whether to keep it or not depending on the results. Given that my yearly charge will drop from around £400 to £170 then it would be stupid not to stick with it. A fair rate for what I use, it's as it should be.

[factor-fiction]

That sounds to me then as if you were attracted by the lower charge given to water metered users- or at least the potential of a lower charge.

[ummmm]

Does it work out cheaper for the average family? 2.4 children in a 3 bed property.

[craft1948]

Why not try it ummmm..............you can always have it taken out again.

[factor-fiction]

There is an online calculator ummmm on the websites of the water companies- you enter things like the number of baths, showers, toilet flushes, washing machine loads per week

[ummmm]

I might become obsessed and make everyone share a bath :-)

[Zeuhl]

I think ours is heading upwards ummm

4 people in a 4 bed house.
Lots of showers, laundry etc

but we took up the option of phasing in the metered charges over 3 years
I think this year is third meter, 2 thirds old system.

It is larger households who will of course end up paying the main costs and the water companies can more easily increase their revenues by adjusting their per-litre rates just like the other utility companies.

[Zeuhl]

craft

i think once a property is metered there is no going back - for the current occupier or any subsequent occupier.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, mrsfactor gets annoyed when she catches me watering the hanging baskets with used washing up water.

[factor-fiction]

You can do a trial and change back free of charge after a year if you had it installed but there are restrictions- e.g. if you have a power shower you can't switch.

[craft1948]

Zeuhl I think you'll find you're wrong. You have a year in which to change your mind after a meter is fitted in a property for the first time.

[ummmm]

On my answers it calculated my bill would be £339.

[factor-fiction]

Hi ummmm- what is your current bill?
We were paying about £75 a month so we switched to a meter in April. We won't get our first reading until October so we don't know what the cost will be but in the meantime they have set our direct debits at a figure of £35 a month to be going on with. We certainly take more care now of water but still have baths most nights and use the washer and dishwasher most days but I'm confident that the final bill will be in the range of £30-£40 a month

[ummmm]

£540 - we pay annually so we're paid up to March 13.

[Zeuhl]

<Zeuhl I think you'll find you're wrong. You have a year in which to change your mind after a meter is fitted in a property for the first time. >

Perhaps if you opt to try a meter, but in our area (southern water) they were installed road by road - no options a from the phase-in of the billing