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.
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:
Image: Major water suppliers across England.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.