Water Meter Installation in London — How to Get One and Whether You Should
Most London properties built after 1990 already have water meters. For properties without one, switching to a meter can reduce or increase your bill depending on usage. This guide covers how meters are installed, what they cost, and who benefits.
How Water Meters Work in London
Thames Water (which supplies most of London) operates on two billing methods: metered billing (you pay for actual water used) and unmetered billing (flat annual charge based on property rateable value). Properties built after approximately 1990 are almost all metered. Older properties may still be on unmetered supply.
How to Get a Water Meter Installed
If your property is unmetered, you can request a free meter installation from Thames Water. The process:
- Apply online at ThamesWater.co.uk or by phone
- Thames Water checks whether a meter can be fitted at your property (most can — it is fitted at the external stop tap in the street/pavement)
- Installation is carried out by Thames Water's contractors — you do not need a plumber and there is no charge
- You enter a 24-month trial period — if metered billing is more expensive, you can switch back to unmetered within 24 months
Will a Water Meter Save You Money?
The standard guidance is that metered billing saves money if the number of bedrooms in your property exceeds the number of people living there. For a 2-person household in a 3-bedroom London property, switching to metered billing will almost certainly reduce the bill. For a 5-person household in a 2-bedroom flat, unmetered billing is likely cheaper.
Implications for London Landlords
- If you are a landlord and the property is unmetered, fitting a meter and billing tenants for actual water use is more transparent — some landlords recover water costs separately under a fair usage clause
- For HMOs, water use per person is typically high and a meter means you pay for actual consumption — this can increase costs significantly in high-occupancy properties
- Thames Water require landlord consent for meter installation when the landlord does not live at the property
Frequently asked questions
How long does water meter installation take in London?
Thames Water typically quotes 2-4 weeks from application to installation. The installation itself takes 1-2 hours and is done at the external stop tap — you do not usually need to be present. There is no interruption to your water supply for more than a few minutes.
Can I be forced to have a water meter in London?
Thames Water can require meters to be fitted in designated water-stressed areas (which includes parts of London) without your consent — this is compulsory metering. Outside of compulsory metering schemes, installation is by request. Most inner London properties built since 1990 are already metered.
I live alone in a large London flat — should I get a meter?
Almost certainly yes. A single person in a 2 or 3-bedroom London flat is very likely paying significantly more on unmetered billing than they would on metered. Thames Water's online calculator will give you a personalised estimate. The 24-month trial removes all financial risk — you can revert if the meter is more expensive.
Do landlords pay for water or tenants in London?
It depends on the tenancy agreement. Most standard AST tenancies in London make tenants responsible for water bills (as listed on the utility bills they are responsible for). Some landlords include water in the rent (common in HMOs). If water is included in the rent, a landlord with a meter pays based on actual tenant consumption.