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How are water charges calculated and how do I find out the rateable value of my property?
Customers who have a water meter pay according to the amount of water they use. However, most customers' charges are based on the rateable value of their property. Water companies charge customers at a rate of x pence/£RV. Sewerage charges are levied on a similar basis.
The rateable value (RV) system of paying for water is based on the rateable value of a property and applies to properties built before April 1990. Up to this date, companies charged household rates that were based on the notional rental value of the property (the rateable value). This varied according to the district in which the property was located and the type and size of the accommodation. Water legislation in England and Wales allows water companies to use the rateable value of householders' properties to determine customers' water charges.
In April 1990, the community charge was introduced (since replaced by the council tax) but water companies are still able to use the RV system of charging for properties built before April 1990. Generally, properties built since April 1990 are metered.
In 1973 local authorities compiled a list of rateable values for all properties in their area. Amendments and new additions to the list up to 31 March 1990 were sent to the water authorities to update their records. You can ask your water company to check its record of your rateable value.
For further information please see our Information Note: Rateable values
