I've just found out why my water bill is so low ...

Over the last couple of years my water bill has dropped seriously, £30->£15->£4.88 per month ... just got a statement through from them and thought I'd read it



Looks like my water metre is broken ... so should I tell them ????

Originally Posted by 156Chris

Over the last couple of years my water bill has dropped seriously, £30->£15->£4.88 per month ... just got a statement through from them and thought I'd read it



Looks like my water metre is broken ... so should I tell them ????

Yes mate - but there is a way you need to approach this - or you will be hit with a massive bill - for the excess, which you would have to pay...

Just because you have had payments and met the terms....etc

The fact it was reading low - and you may have used more - would result in them asking for back payment for the difference

I suggest you you formulate a letter - explaining that you are bringing this to their attention and without prejudice - that your readings are incorrect - and would like the installation of a new meter...and that you are prepared to negotioate - a one off settlement figure - for the water consumed but not billed....


Chris

*pinching nose* dyu mud stig <- wafting not tuting!

They will probably find out eventually and try to charge you an estimated amount which you might not agree with, could be tricky. On the other hand I know someone who has never had a gas bill since she moved into her house 10 years ago and hasn't told British Gas.

Originally Posted by chrisd_b

The fact it was reading low - and you may have used more - would result in them asking for back payment for the difference


Chris

But how would they calculate the difference? On my previous consumption? or on the average for a house of this size ... when the bills went up to £30 we made the conscious decision to reduce our usage ... It might be worth going through our old bills to see when it stopped working ...



... the thing is I would've thought that this sort of situation should be flagged up on there computer system???

You haven't wired your meter into your neighbours have you ??
Ask them if their water bills are really high

Originally Posted by 156Chris

But how would they calculate the difference? On my previous consumption? or on the average for a house of this size ... when the bills went up to £30 we made the conscious decision to reduce our usage ... It might be worth going through our old bills to see when it stopped working ...



... the thing is I would've thought that this sort of situation should be flagged up on there computer system???

They would base this on your previous bills - so any reduced consumption could not be proved sadly

Chris is right.

It is far easier to bargain from an honest standpoint.

As for the woman who has been stealing gas for ten years - what will she do when she wants to move?

You could say that the house has been empty for 4-5 months and that you've just returned, switched on the mains tap about 1 month ago and have realised that this lasts months usage is not showing, then if they want some backpay off you hopefully its only 1 months worth.

PaulR is right, I would come clean, if you have any water !

I would telephone and explain the problem, the water company in this area is very good at dealing with things over the telephone.

I would imagine that they would base your bill on previous consumption, you may be charged a little more than what you have used but I don't think ignoring it will help, bound to come to light sooner or later.

Originally Posted by PaulR

Chris is right.

It is far easier to bargain from an honest standpoint.

As for the woman who has been stealing gas for ten years - what will she do when she wants to move?

I agree,stealing is the right word to use. She has been doing it that long now she doesn't give it a thought. She will get caught eventually though, even if its her kids that have to pay from their inheritance. Honesty is definitely the best policy in these cases.

Well I've just checked my last bill and I used 2 cubic metres in 3 months ... does that sound about right??? or is it way off ??

... just dug out the bill before that 82 cubic metres ... thought the previous one was a bit low ... 2 cubic metres is probably only a few baths !!!

I've just given them a bell and talked to some bloke called scott who sounded like he was from Yeovil, and he's going to send someone round ASAP to replace the metre ... no mention of reclaiming the money so I quickly said thank you very much and hung up

When I moved into a brand new apartment in Manchester two years ago I got my first water bill when, after a few months, they got round to switiching the meter on. I'd never had one for any other address, so I didn't know what to expect.

It was for £121. For 3 weeks. For 54 cubic metres of water. That seemed a lot but I couldn't really visualise how much water I'd been using.

Then I read that they assume that the amount of sewage you produce is equivalent to the water consumption. Fair enough, I wouldn't want to have my sewage actually metered!

Now by my reckoning a cubic metre is about 4 wheelie bins. Possibly a bit more.

I can be fairly certain that, living on my own, I did not generate 4 x 54 wheelie bins worth of waste in 3 weeks.

So Chris, in your case 8 wheelie bins in 3 months? Baths / showers / loo flushes / shaving / tooth brushing / washing machine?

Might be a bit on the low side ...... but maybe you are just very frugal.


BTW - My own bill was reduced to a more reasonable £12.75 when I queried it.

220 gallons = 1 cubic metre
220 gallons = 1000 ltrs
1000 ltrs = around 4 wheelie bins (240 litres each) sounds a lot...
but not when you come to change the water in a 2000gallon Koi pond....
Glad i dont have a water meter