When moving house or moving into a UK home for the first time, you will most likely have a connected water supply. However, it’s important to set up water accounts with your local supplier as soon as you have moved in.
If you don’t set up your water account properly, you can get billed for water you haven’t used, and that can range into hundreds of pounds!
In the UK, only one supplier operates in any given area. Luckily, finding the water supplier for your area is quite simple. You do, however, need to do this as soon as you move in. You can find your water supplier here.
If you use a service like Please Connect Me to handle your move, we can do the water registration on your behalf as part of our free all-in-one home move service.
Registering with a new water supplier: All you need to know
After finding your supplier, you’ll need to register with them. Water supplier contact details can be found here.
Once you have the contact details, go to their website, call them and have the following information on hand:
- Your first and last name
- Your current street address (the house you have just moved to)
- Your contact information, which includes your current phone number and email address
- Your payment details (only if you want to use direct debit)
- Your water supply meter readings (if you can access your meter)
Once you have supplied this information, your water supply company will confirm registration via post within the first 6 weeks after you have moved. This confirmation mail will include a unique account number, which you’ll be using to sign up online with your provider. It will also include details of how you’re going to get charged and how to pay.
What if I’m moving to a new address under the same water supplier?
If you’re moving to your new address under the same water supplier, you need to let them know when you are moving and where. You can check their website to find out how to let them know.
If there is a water meter at your new address, give your water supplier a minimum of 5 working days before moving so that they can arrange for a final meter reading. If you don’t give them the minimum 5-day notice, then you will be charged for the water you used, even if you have moved out.
What if I’m moving to a new address under a different water supplier?
If you’ve moved to your new home under a different water supplier, simply let them know. To do this, go to their website, and it should tell you how to contact them. You can also check which companies supply water in your area by visiting the CCW (Consumer Council for Water) website.
If your water company happens to be the same, simply let them know the new address. And, if your new home has a water meter installed, take a reading the moment you move in.
Moving out of a property
Admin required/move-out process
When moving out of your current property, it is critical to inform your water supplier of the move and take a final meter reading (if it applies to you). This ensures that you don’t overpay or end up paying late charges.
Again, give your water company at least 5 days’ notice so that they can arrange a final meter reading, if need be.
Moving out of a shared property
Even when moving out of a shared property, you must inform your water supplier of the move at the earliest. If you don’t, you’ll get billed for water used after you have moved out.
Contact your water supply company and inform them of the move-out date. If you’re on a water meter, take a reading on the day you move out and provide this information to your water company.
Things to know as tenants and landlords
Tenants – As a tenant, you should notify your water supplier, take a final meter reading (if it applies to you), and confirm that the stopcock valve is in the ‘closed’ position. Additionally, you must also notify all utility companies of the move, in addition to the landlord or letting agent.
Landlords – As a landlord, you can use LandlordTAP to inform your water company of tenant changes.
Whether you’re moving out as a tenant or homeowner, you can use Please Connect Me to have all your utilities set up at your new home in an effortless and hassle-free way.
Managing bills
How are you charged?
You can get billed in the UK for water in two key ways.
You will get an estimated charge either through your water provider or through a water meter. If you are billed an estimate through your provider, your water company will charge you a certain amount no matter how much water you use. If you get billed via your meter, you will be billed only for the amount of water you use.
Metered or unmetered?
If your property is metered (that is, it has a water meter), then you simply pay for the amount of water you use. If your property is unmetered, you pay based on an estimate, irrespective of how much water you consume.
Billing setup
On a final note, always remember to close your old water account and open a new one when you are about to move. We recommend contacting your current water supplier at least a month before you move out, mentioning the last date you will be occupying the property and the new forwarding address for your final bill.
As part of our free all-in-one utility service here at Please Connect Me, we include water bill setup, making the move all the easier for you. Sign up for free now and get your utilities sorted for free!
