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Water Bill Advice Pls - M (11th Jun 2013 - 14:23:17) Hi I have recently moved in to a very small bedsit in Liphook (it is literally a room at the side of someones house), and i have a tiny kitchen and shower. I have no bath, and no washing machine as i do my washing elsewhere, so literally, the only water i use is a shower once a day and a bowl for washing up, plus the occasion kettle for a cuppa. I am also away from the property alot of the time, so water usage really is minimal. I have just had my first water bill and am horrified... :-( The bill for the year is just over £200. I have spoken with other people that have 2/3 bedroom properties in other nearby areas, who have more than one person resident, washing machines, baths, garden hoses etc and their bills are at least £70 less than this?! Can anyone offer me any advice please? I have spoken with the water board who have told me that this is fixed and there is nothing i can do about it. I have queried that this is just for my 'room' and that i am not paying for the whole house (3 beds), and they have assured me that this is the cost for my room. The electricity (metered) on the place is already costing me £35 pw (tho i have been advised it should be more like £5-10) and so with this on top it is proving to be very costly! It just seems a little odd to me! Any advice would be very welcome! Thank you

Re: Water Bill Advice Pls - Keith (11th Jun 2013 - 15:33:12) Do you have a water meter? If not, then the amount you pay is unrelated to the amount of water you use and will have been set based upon the rateable value of your property (effectively your council tax band) (which for your property from your description I would guess is either band 'A' or band 'B'). The only way to reduce your water bill would be to have a water meter fitted. I believe water companies will do this for free but I guess one obstacle could be, do you have a separate water supply from the main building ? and as it would involve digging some holes, I guess you would need the permission of your landlord/landlady before getting a meter installed. Your electricity bill seems excessively high - I pay only around £10-15 per week for electricity on my two bed house.

Re: Water Bill Advice Pls - M (11th Jun 2013 - 16:00:19) Thank you Keith, much appreciated. I havent got a water meter but will be calling tonight to see about getting one. Unfortunately my landlord isnt all that 'helpful', but I will find out about the supply and see if i can get a meter. Re the electric - I have also asked for an updated meter to be put in (which was agreed) but this was over a month ago now. Its got to the stage where i'm trying not to use the electric too much because of the cost! With any luck, I will get it all sorted out sooner rather than later, but if anyone knows of any reasonably priced one bed properties to rent in the area, I may be interested! :-s Thanks again

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