Water meters

[Sheela]

We are in the process of buying a house in the Tendring area of Essex The house does NOT have a water meter. Is it compulsory that when a house changes hands a water meter has to be fitted whether you want one or not. Needless to say we don't want a meter.

[Postdog]

I don't think so. With some authotities, possibly, but I am reasonably sure (having considered a meter earlier this year and looked into it) the only compulsory meters are to new builds.

[rabbitygirl]

Where I live (Derby), which is Severn Trent Water, I am reliably informed that if there is a meter already installed (as in our bungalow) you cannot have it taken out. We have a second house here which does not have a meter and we have not been notified that we must have a one fitted.

[Ice.Maiden]

This is true. Once in, they can't be taken out again, and new builds are supplied with them now as well. For older properties, a water meter isn't mandatory - yet - but there's talk that this might soon change, particularly where Water Boards have areas of bad flooding. Water meters might be alright for a single person, but they're a rip-off for people with larger families, who need to use a lot of water for baths and the washing machine - and even worse for people with swimming pools!!!

[beryllium]

When we were buying the property we're in now, (2 yrs ago) my solicitor told us that we would have to have a meter installed. We asked the water board to come and see if it was possible and it wasn't.

What has your solicitor said about this matter?