In an effort to reduce my outgoings I decided to ring around to the various companies that we use and ask if they could reduce my payments.
On ringing the water people I as told that the water is charged on how many bedrooms you have in your home.
We have three bedrooms but there are only the two of us here now and so two are used as craft room and spare.
We do not own a washing machine (daughter takes the big stuff and I do the rest in the sink)
We do not own a dishwasher and do not take showers every day.
Our use of water is minimal
We cannot have a meter as we are in a converted house and the water board are unable to fit one.
So my question it, how can the amount of bedrooms equate with our water usage?
Try as I may to get the man on the end of the phone to accept how stupid this is it fell on Stoney ground and he wouldn't budge.
So I must continue to pay as though there were at least a couple more people living here using the water even if there isn't.
At least Virgin Media were more accommodating, they reduced my bill considerably, so if you are with them for your internet and tv, give them a call.
On the pussy cat front, I can't tell you how much I miss my darling Rupert, several times Rowan (fluffy like Rupert was) has passed by and I thought it was him.
I shall get over it eventually but have never been so upset over losing a cat.
Briony
x
Losses of our beloved furry family members is so hard. You have my deepest sympathy, Briony, and prayers for your continued healing. The policy about the water bill is indeed silly but the person on the other end of the phone probably can't do one thing about it. Knowing that you're going to have to pay for 3 bedrooms' worth of people in your household, I would: #1 Get a washing machine & #2 Start taking daily showers. I mean, you're paying for the water anyway...you might as well get your money's worth! *hugs* ~Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrea,
ReplyDeleteThe more we love someone, the harder it is to let them go. The bedroom thing does not make any sense at all! too bad!
ReplyDeleteHard times ahead for everyone - especially the poor and pensioners. I'm thinking of hanging about on the street corner to make a bit of cash. I might be waiting a while.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty bad to just assume you are using more water just because you have a couple extra bedrooms! I'm pretty sure that wouldn't fly here for very long! We do miss our fur family members when they are gone, don't we? Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteI had missed the post about the passing of Rupert! He was your darling boy. It takes a very long time to become accustomed to the absence of a pet--even when there are other pets still in the home. Losing a animal friend is so painful, and yet--not having a succession of cat and dogs through life would be to miss out on very special companionship.
ReplyDeleteSome deaths sear the soul, doesn't matter if it's a person or a pet. I'm sorry you're both hurting so much, Briony. The death of our first cat affected me like that. We took her to the vet because she wasn't eating. They put her on an IV and I thought she would be home in a few days. Then they called to say she had slipped away overnight. I couldn't sleep, couldn't eat, just carried the grief around like a stone in my stomach. I felt so bad she had died alone and perhaps feeling abandoned. It took a long time to get over. Not trying to make this about me, just saying I understand a little.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if speaking to the man's supervisor might have gotten some results. Maybe a letter to your municipality (is that the same as a council in Britain?). I realize they have to choose some method to bill you if a meter cannot be fitted, but it's unfortunate you can't get a break on the bills when you're not using much water.
You have been on my mind the last few days; I'm glad to see a post from you. Hang in there. xx
Perhaps you should bully the water suppliers to reexamine their ruling on fitting a meter. Metered water cut our bill to 1/5th of unmetered for our house and our circumstances were similar to yours. There are ways - there must be ways - to meter your water supply. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of that but I suppose since there isn't a meter they just assume one person per bedroom and an average person uses x amount of water and there you have your bill.
ReplyDeleteMine is on a meter but even though I use very little water, there is a minimum so that is what I pay each month.
A meter would certainly make the most sense. There could be any number of people in three bedrooms!
ReplyDeleteThey do say that you're better on a meter if you have more bedrooms than the number of people in your home. It's so annoying that you're unable to change, there should be some way round that. It's still early days after losing Rupert and it's only natural that you'll still be grieving, dealing with loss is a hard thing to deal with.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, not sure why this loss has affected me so much, I have lost cats in the past and not felt it so much, he was just a special cat. xxxxx
DeleteThat's a very strange way to charge for water. Are you with Thames Water? I'm not sure how we're charged, to be honest. They harassed us for the longest time to get a Smartmeter and we tried, but then they told us they couldn't install one, something about the way the house is connected to the mains at the street. (Maybe it's the same reason you can't get one -- we're also a converted house.) Anyway, I wonder if you can go to the council or a consumer agency for help in negotiating a better rate...?
ReplyDeleteHI Steve, I haven't commented much lately but have been reading your posts regularly.
DeleteYes, we are in the top two floors of a Victorian house and I think you are right, it's something to do with the mains. It does seem unfair doesn't it but they were adamant that they can do nothing, I went higher than the first man on the phone to no avail.
Was wondering why you are back to work so soon? is it a private school you work in?
Briony
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