Tax

[Ashy]

What I've noticed is that authorities that expect to tax us never tell us where we are supposed to get the money from. Well I'm at the stage where I realise I can't take it with me but seriously, on one day I get three letters. Council tax over £2000, water rates another £1000, and income tax cheerfully tell me I have to pay tax on £16,000 even if my income is zero. I make that about £9,400. 

I clearly have taxophobia.

[klondike]

Might be worth swapping to a water meter - obviously depending on your use but mine doesn't come close to £1,000

[Mups]

Might be worth swapping to a water meter - obviously depending on your use but mine doesn't come close to £1,000

Neither does mine.   More like about a quarter of that.
I think I would have to bath an entire family every single day,  plus wash every car in the street to get a bill of that amount!
I have a meter.

[Ashy]

I can't have a water meter without some sort of redesign of plumbing, at least I think that's the case.

[klondike]

You must have a single feed to your property and it's up to the water board to fit one. Worth an ask imo.

[JBR]

I can't have a water meter without some sort of redesign of plumbing, at least I think that's the case.

Some time ago, perhaps a year or two ago, we opted for a water meter.  It was installed under our sink in the kitchen which I believe is the first place the water pipe is visible in our house (outside it is completely underground).  It is easily accessible, though the water company never comes to read it as it is done online, and right next to the stop tap where we can turn off the water if needed.  Our water bill became much lower as soon as it was installed.
If you are concerned, perhaps you can request a meter and the company will come and have a look.

[Mups]

Some time ago, perhaps a year or two ago, we opted for a water meter.  It was installed under our sink in the kitchen which I believe is the first place the water pipe is visible in our house (outside it is completely underground).  It is easily accessible, though the water company never comes to read it as it is done online, and right next to the stop tap where we can turn off the water if needed.  Our water bill became much lower as soon as it was installed.
If you are concerned, perhaps you can request a meter and the company will come and have a look.

I wonder why they put yours under your sink, JBR,  when they stuck mine under the pavement at the end of my front path?   There is a little round lid I can prise off with a screwdriver if I want to read the meter.

[Michael Rolls]

Tax. A few years ago, out of idle curiosity, I tried to work out how much tax I had paid since leaving school at 16. All forms of tax, income, council, fuel duty, booze, etc. I quite quickly passed a million ( allowing for inflation) and gave up before I really frightened myself

[Alex]

I've got a water meter, I pay mine monthly £34.   

[Mups]

I've got a water meter, I pay mine monthly £34. 

I pay mine monthly too, Alex.   I prefer to do that so's it doesn't build up.
Depending on the time of year,  mine is usually anywhere between £22 - £25 though.

[JBR]

I wonder why they put yours under your sink, JBR,  when they stuck mine under the pavement at the end of my front path?  There is a little round lid I can prise off with a screwdriver if I want to read the meter.

Probably because the only external water tap and connection is in the road outside our house.  I wouldn't like to try prising off that lid as the road is quite busy, and I suspect the water company's people would feel the same!

The advantage of an internal stop tap is that it is easily accessible, as now is the water meter.

[Mups]

Probably because the only external water tap and connection is in the road outside our house.  I wouldn't like to try prising off that lid as the road is quite busy, and I suspect the water company's people would feel the same!

The advantage of an internal stop tap is that it is easily accessible, as now is the water meter.

Yes,  I see what you mean.   I think I would prefer that, too. 

[klondike]

My pipe comes from a main that runs down the road. The meter id in the same hole the original street stopcock was in and can be turned off from there still. A pipe then runs into the house where the house stopcock is. I never need go near the meter znd nor they any more its a smart meter.

You should just ask them. You could easily save £500 a year or probably more.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7342/