How to Set Up Your Water Bill
How to Set Up Your Water Bill in a New Home
Setting Up Your Water Bill
So, you’re moving house and need to know how to set up your water bill in your new home? Whether you’re moving out of your parents and setting up your water bill for the first time or just moving to a different area and need to change your water supplier, we will talk you through everything you need to know.
Sorting out and paying your utility bills can be overwhelming and confusing for first-time home-owners and those who have moved house multiple times. You’ll be pleased to hear, though, that water bills are one of the easier household bills to organise when moving home.
Unlike energy, each area of the UK has just one water supplier. For example, homes in Yorkshire are served by Yorkshire Water, while those in the South East are served by South East Water, and so on.
Luckily, we have put a useful guide together explaining how to set up your water bill in a new home and everything else you might need to know about switching water suppliers.
Even if you aren’t moving far enough from your old house to warrant changing water suppliers, you will need to inform them of your change of address.
SlothMove’s steamlined address change service allows you to easily update your address with your water supplier and all your other utility providers, including energy and broadband.
To start changing your address across all your accounts and suppliers in one go, simply click below to get started 👇
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What is a Water Bill?
A water bill is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin – the bill you pay for using water in your property. Every month, you will receive a water bill and you’ll have to make sure you pay it when it’s due.
The bill will outline all the relevant calculations of your usage. Your water bill will be slightly different depending on whether it is metered or unmetered.
How Do I Set Up My Water Bill?
The first step in setting up your water bill is determining who the supplier for your new area is. If your water providers for your new home are different to those for your previous home, you should aim to find out who they are 3-4 weeks before you move.
Certain cities, neighbourhoods, apartment buildings and management companies have different provider requirements. Similarly, some water suppliers only service certain areas
Next, you should contact your new water supplier:
- If you’re sticking with your current supplier, you will simply need to transfer your water bill and inform them of your change of address.
- If you have moved somewhere that requires you to change your water bill, you will need to switch suppliers and cancel your old water bill.
- If you’re a first time buyer and starting from scratch, you’ll just need to set up a new water bill with the provider in your area.
If you need to transfer your existing water bill, you will need to contact your provider and inform them of your new address, letting them know that your water bill should be transferred to your new home. As well as your new address, you will need to let them know the exact date you need the water service shut off in one home and turned on in the other.
Alternatively, if you need to switch suppliers then you should contact your current provider and ask them to cancel your water bill. They’ll need to know the address of the house they’re shutting the service down at, as well as the exact date that your water bill should be closed.
To set up a new water bill, you should visit the website of your new provider. Here, you’ll find information explaining how to set up your water bill in your new home. You’ll need to tell them the address of the house you’re planning on setting up your new water bill and the exact date that you need the service to start. Most water providers will also require payment information at this stage.
Once you have arranged for your water bill to be set up, you should double-check that your water supply has been successfully turned on in your new home and turned off in your old home. There is always the possibility of errors when transferring, cancelling or setting up your water bill so it’s always best to be sure.
How Do I Find Out Who My Water Supplier Is?
When you move into your new house, depending on your location, you will have a designated water supplier for your area. Water is one of the only utilities that you cannot choose the supplier for.
You can find out who your water supplier is using SlothMove’s online change of address service. All you have to do is enter your postcode. SlothMove will then identify who is your new and old water providers are. You can then update them in just a few clicks!
Alternatively, you can visit the Water UK website to find out who your water supplier is.
Below, we have outlined some of the designated water providers for each area in the UK:
| Area in the UK | Water Provider |
|---|---|
Cambridge | |
Scotland | |
Portsmouth | |
Bristol | |
Northumberland | |
Wales |
How Do I Contact My Water Supplier?
Once you know who your water supplier is, we recommend contacting them. They will be able to advise you on exactly what you need to do to set up your water bill.
To find your water supplier’s contact details, simply visit their specific website and find their phone number.
Can I Switch Water Supplier?
Under the current legislation, you are not able to switch water suppliers from the one designated to you based on your location.
The water provider that supplies your property depends on where you have moved to. Currently, the 25 water companies across England, Scotland and Wales are responsible for customers in set geographical regions.
How Do I Pay My Water Bill UK?
Paying your water bill is surprisingly easy and there are a number of ways you can do so.
The most popular and probably the easiest way to pay your water bill is via direct debit. Choosing to set up a direct debit to pay your water bill means that you won’t have to remember to pay it each month. Instead, the money for your water will be automatically taken from your account each month.
Alternatively, if you think you have a good memory and can remember to pay your water bill each month, then you can choose to make one-off card payments to your water supplier. This is also fairly quick and easy as you can make your card payment online.
These are the most common methods of paying your water bill but a few others include: standing order, bank transfer, telephone banking and via cheques.
How Much Will My Water Bill Be?
Many people assume that a glass of water from a tap is free, but they would be wrong. In fact, according to Water UK, water will cost you, on average, £396.60 per year, or £33.05 per month in 2021.
However, how much you pay for your water will largely depend on where you live. For example, those living in the North West of England will pay £18 more on average compared to the rest of the UK. Meanwhile, people living in parts of the west country could save £14 on average.
Another factor that could influence how much your water bill will be is how many people live in your household and their personal needs. For instance, a large family that washes more than average will use more water than a person living on their own who only washes once a day.
According to Waterwise, here is the average water usage in cubic metres per year in a home of:
- One person = 66
- Two people = 110
- Three people = 136
- Four people = 165
- Five people = 182
- Six people = 200
What Happens If You Don't Pay Your Water Bill?
If you do not pay your water bill, your water provider will try to contact you by phone or letter, giving you seven days’ notice to make your payment.
However, if you continue not to pay your water bill or fail to contact your water supplier, they may take one of the following actions as a last resort:
- Send your account to a debt collection agency
- Issue a county court claim against you
- Ask the court to enter judgement against you
These actions can have a huge impact on your ability to get loans and mortgages in the future so it is really important to make sure you pay your water bill on time.
How Can I Reduce My Water Bill?
One thing is for sure, water bills are going to continue rising in cost. However, you simply can’t avoid using water, so the only solution is to reduce the amount of water you use. There are a number of ways you can try to reduce your water bill, including:
- Repair leaks
- Replace your old appliances with water efficiency products
- Instal faucet aerators
- Only use your dishwasher and washing machine for full loads
- Always turn the water off
- Collect rainwater
- Reuse and recycle water
- Flush less frequently
- Take shorter showers
In this article we have talked you through exactly how to set up your water bill in a new home. Whether you need to transfer your water bill, switch water suppliers or set up a new water bill, we have given you the answers to all your questions.
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