Quick links:
- Who is your water supplier? A quick guide to finding out
- Setting up your water account
- ‘I’ve got a water meter!’
- How to pay your water bill
- Struggling to pay your water bill?
- Don’t drown in bills in your new home
There's so much to sort out when you move into a new home that it can feel like you’re drowning in responsibilities. Fortunately, setting up your water bill should be one of the more straightforward things to sort out, but there are still a few factors to consider.
If you are a homeowner or tenant, you’re probably responsible for paying your water bill. You’ll need to set up your account, manage bills, and track any payment method changes and costs. That’s a lot of admin, especially when you have other utility accounts to manage at the same time.
You have the option to take the hassle out of managing your utilities with One Utility Bill. Create your own bills package and pay all your bills in one easy monthly payment.
Even if you create a package with us, it’s handy to have an understanding of the basics.. In this guide, we’ll cover the ins and outs of water bills, including avoiding unexpected charges and what happens if you have a water meter. Keep reading to learn more.
👀 Who is your water supplier? A quick guide to finding out
Unlike most other utilities, you can’t choose your water supplier– your local authority determines this. If you move into a new area, you might not know who supplies your water. Here are some tips for finding out:
- Ask the past owner, landlord, or letting agent
- Check for any letters addressed to “The Occupier” from water suppliers
- Input your postcode into the Water UK Find Your Supplier tool
- Check the complete list of water suppliers on the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) website
Image: Major water suppliers across England.
💪 Setting up your water account
If you are moving to a new home in the same area, you can use your existing account and set up a new property with a unique reference number and other details.
If you’ve ventured further, you might need to set up a new account with your new local water authority. Most water suppliers allow you to create a new account online. You can find their contact details at the CCW website if you’d prefer to do this over the phone.
When setting up an account, the water supplier will typically ask for the following information:
- Full name(s) of the account holder(s)
- The new address in full
- The date you moved in or will be legally responsible for the property
- Contact telephone number and email address
- Previous address (sometimes requested)
- Bank details if setting up a Direct Debit immediately.
- Water meter readings (if you have one)
- For first-time buyers, the water supplier might ask for some additional information, such as completion documents.
For tenants:
If you’re a tenant, then you’ll need to check with your landlord as to who is responsible for the utility bills. In most cases, it will be you, but if you have a bill-inclusive tenancy. This is especially common if you live in a House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO). You can check this by reading the tenancy agreement or asking your landlord.
What happens next?
When you register with your water supplier, they will give you an account number and send a welcome pack in the post. This will include all of the information you need to manage your account online.
If the thought of setting up yet another online account is filling you with dread, take a few minutes to sign up for a bills package with One Utility Bill. The team will manage the setup, and you only have one monthly payment to cover your utilities.
💧 ‘I’ve got a water meter!’
Most homes built after 1990 should have a water meter. A property built before then may also have a water meter, if a previous homeowner or landlord had one installed. Ask them if possible, or ask any neighbours who live in similar homes to find out. Alternatively, you can check the most common places: typically under the kitchen sink or in the garage.
Here are some tips for water meter owners:
When you first move into a property, take a photo of the meter for a dated record of the opening meter reading, and make sure you’re only charged for what you use.
The same goes for moving out of a property with a water meter. You should also give a forwarding address for the final bill, and if you’re selling your home, ensure the new owner knows there is a meter and how to read it.
On the topic of reading a water meter, take a photo and note down the black and white numbers. Typically, you can ignore any red dials for billing.
Image: Different types of meters.
Can’t find the meter?
Try the tips we shared earlier. If they don’t work, you must speak to the water supplier about locating and managing the meter if they don't work.
Water suppliers typically allow you to submit readings online and/or over the phone.
Properties without a water meter
You will be charged an unmetered or standard tariff calculated by your supplier. You don’t have much control over this, as you don’t get to choose your supplier, so installing a water meter is the best option for getting accurate bills.
💰 How to pay your water bill
Paying all your bills should be as stress-free as possible. Water bills are, typically, pretty simple. You can’t choose your supplier or your tariff, although you can get a meter fitted to ensure more accurate billing. You might also be able to select the frequency of billing, such as monthly or quarterly.
The most common ways to pay for your water are:
- By direct debit - This is the supplier’s preferred method, so you might get a small discount. It also means you don’t risk missing payments should you change your bank card, for example.
- Online payment via the supplier’s website or app - This is a manual card payment method and will rely on you inputting the details each month or quarter.
- Standing order or bank transfer - Set up a regular standing order with your bank, or pay directly via a bank transfer upon receipt of your bill.
- Payment by phone or post - Most suppliers have an automated phone system you can call to make payment, you may also be able to pay by cheque in the post. Check your individual supplier’s website to find out what specific options are available.
- PayPoint or Payzone - These methods allow you to pay for bills in person at your local convenience store.
- With One Utility Bill - A simple single monthly direct debit payment for all of your utilities. Learn more and get a quote here.
🤔 Struggling to pay your water bill?
If you are finding it difficult to pay your water bill, there are a few steps you can take. Each water supplier has schemes to support those financially struggling, so reach out to them to find out what’s available as soon as you realise you might need help.
For metered customers, WaterSure allows customers to cap usage in low-income households where high usage is essential, such as for medical reasons or where there is a large family.
Adding your water bills to a One Utility Bill package gives unlimited water usage for one flat monthly payment, offering huge peace of mind and making it much easier to manage finances. Paying bills can be stressful, especially if you don’t know how much to keep aside each month. By taking control of your bills and establishing a single payment with One Utility Bill, you can get a better oversight of your outgoings and budget accordingly.
👉 Don’t drown in bills in your new home
Now you know how to set up and manage your water bill. It’s pretty simple, but when combined with gas, electric, broadband, and other utilities, you might start to lose track. At One Utility Bill, we offer a hassle-free and straightforward solution, rolling your utility bills (including water) into a single monthly payment. Stop drowning and start swimming with One Utility Bill today.