I have a house which is slowly undergoing renovation and has been empty for a year. It has a water meter fitted and only a very small amount of water is used when we visit maybe four times last year. Can water companies still require full payment of standing charges for supply/drainage/surface water etc? ta
Remove antispam and add 670 after bra to email
Yes, basically from the last reading to the present.
No just tell them it's empty and you should get a zero charge. If you tell them you're renovating it you might get a 'building water' charge - a flat fee of 20 or 30 GBP IIRC. And every 3 months they'll assume you've finished and will send out a 'Welcome to your new home' pack and threaten you with disconnection if you don't contact them pronto. (same as b****y TV licensing - don't get me started).
That's what happened to me anyway, with United Utilities - YMMV.
David
Sorry, didn't spot the 'water meter' reference. That may alter things, but I can't believe you should be paying the same as a full resident.
David
The day the deeds where handed over the water board should have been contacted and they would have then sent out a maintence bod to turn off the supply. Any outstanding bill would then have been forwarded to the previous owner.
In message , tarquinlinbin writes
Hi,
I have refurbished several flats over the past few years and I have always asked United Utilities to cease charging, which they have.
I dont know how it goes with a meter showing some use, but it's worth a try.
My father was in hospital for a long period and then moved to a residential home without returning home. When we eventually contacted the water company he was given a full refund from the day he went in to hospital as the property was empty. The property was on a meter.
MBQ
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