Water: meter reading and cost allocation
We read the meters and split the cost of water between the homes in the building. Based on what you actually use, or on how many people live in your home.
The service
What we do for the water in your building
Four jobs that, together, turn the numbers on the meter into a clear and fair bill for every home.
Reading the individual meters
Your individual meter measures only the water used in your home, separately from the building's main meter. We read it regularly, so the figures on record are the real ones.
Cost allocation
We use the readings to split the cost of water between the homes in the building. Every household pays its own share, no more and no less.
Per-person charging
Per person means what it sounds like: where this rule applies, the water is shared out according to how many people live in each home. A simple rule, and one anyone can check.
Records and changes of account holder
A change of account holder means putting the account in a new name, for example when the tenant or the owner changes. We keep the records of every home up to date, so the bill always reaches the right person.
How it works
From the meter to the bill, in four steps
Step 1
We take the reading
Our staff read the individual meters. If the meter cannot be reached, you can send us the reading yourself: it takes 2 minutes.
Step 2
We check the figures
We check every reading against the past figures for that home. That way mistakes and odd readings come to light before we do the sums.
Step 3
We share out the cost
We work out the share of each home from the real readings or, where that applies, from the number of people living there.
Step 4
We hand over the statement
The building manager receives a clear statement with the usage and the share of every home, ready for the building's accounts.
Would you rather do it yourself? You can send us your own meter reading in a few minutes, without waiting for our staff to visit.
Per-person charging
Water can also be shared out per person
In some buildings the cost of water is split according to how many people live in each home. That is why your details have to be up to date.
With per-person charging, a family of four pays a bigger share than someone living alone. It is the fairest rule when usage cannot be measured home by home.
So it is important to tell us whenever your household changes. A birth, a move, one person more or less in the home: they all change your share. The residents area explains how to do it: look for Change in the people living in your home.
Has the number of people in your home changed? Tell us straight away: the cost allocation stays correct and you do not pay a share that is not yours.
The benefits
Why it is good for the whole building
- Fairness: every home pays according to the water it really uses, or to how many people live there. The rule is the same for everybody.
- No estimates: the shares come from real readings, not from assumed usage or surprise adjustments.
- Fewer arguments at the residents' meeting: with clear figures that anyone can check, discussions about the water costs are kept to a minimum.
Find out more
Related services
Meter reading
Send us the reading of your meter in a few minutes, whenever it suits you.
Send your readingSmart metering
Electronic meters with walk-by and remote reading: no more appointments at home.
Find out moreResidents area
Change of account holder, household changes, rates and ways to pay.
Go to the residents area