Moving house with South East Water: register, meters and help

• ✓CCW lists South East Water's area as the South East of England.
• ✓South East Water: if you are already a customer and moving within its area, tell it through your online account. If you are new to its area, set up a new account.
• ✓South East Water: its checklist for new customers is to give your new address on its online form, set up the online account, and set up a Direct Debit.
• ✓South East Water: if you are moving out of its area, close the account online or by calling 0333 000 0001.
• ✓Ofwat: under the current legislation, household customers are not able to change their water supplier or sewerage service provider. The company that supplies your property depends on where you live.

Sources: South East Water: what to do when moving home (read 13 October 2026); South East Water: are you new to the area? (read 13 October 2026); CCW: find your water company (read 13 October 2026); CCW: what if I move to a property with a meter? (read 13 October 2026); Ofwat: changing supplier (read 13 October 2026)

• ✓South East Water: from 1 April its average yearly household bill for drinking water is £324, around 89p a day, covering metered, unmetered and rateable value tariffs.
• ✓South East Water: it bills wastewater on behalf of your wastewater supplier, so your bill includes wastewater charges, and the wastewater companies set their own prices.
• ✓Ofwat: if you do not have a water meter, your bill is not based on how much water you use. It is usually a fixed charge plus a charge based on the rateable value of your home, a valuation last updated in 1990.
• ✓CCW: if your new home already has a water meter, you must pay metered charges based on your usage and you cannot switch to an unmetered bill. Take a reading as soon as you move in.
• ✓CCW: a water company can install a meter when you move in, but not if you have already received an unmetered bill for that property. It tells you when you report the move.
• ✓Ofwat: you may receive your water supply from one company and your sewerage services from another, which means you may get two separate bills.

Sources: South East Water: water charges in your area (read 13 October 2026); South East Water: help paying your water bill (read 13 October 2026); Ofwat: unmetered customers (read 13 October 2026); CCW: what if I move to a property with a meter? (read 13 October 2026); CCW: can my water company install a meter before I move in? (read 13 October 2026); Ofwat: your water company (read 13 October 2026)

• ✓South East Water: in its area meter installation is compulsory, a policy set under the Water Industry Act 1991 and supported by Ofwat and Defra to manage water shortages in areas classified as seriously water stressed.
• ✓South East Water: it is carrying out a 10-year smart metering programme across its supply area, and it aims to install a meter you apply for within three months.
• ✓South East Water: tenants have the right to request a meter without the landlord's permission, but need the landlord's approval if changes to internal pipework or fixtures are required.
• ✓CCW (April 2016): customers of Southern Water, South East Water, Affinity Water and Thames Water do not have the option to switch back to unmeasured charges, because of compulsory metering.
• ✓Ofwat: household customers in England and Wales can choose to have a meter fitted in their homes free of charge. If a meter cannot be fitted, the company must offer an assessed charge instead.
• ✓Ofwat: in England, where the company is legally obliged to act on your request, it must begin measuring your supply within eight weeks of the day you ask.
• ✓CCW: you can usually switch back to the unmetered charge within two years if you are unhappy with the change, except for customers in areas of England where compulsory metering is introduced. Where the company publishes its own rule, as above, that is the one to go by.
• ✓CCW: you can ask for a water meter to be fitted if you rent your home in England.

Sources: South East Water: smart metering programme (read 13 October 2026); South East Water: apply for a meter (read 13 October 2026); CCW: millions of households given more time to trial a water meter (April 2016) (read 13 October 2026); Ofwat: metered customers and applying for metered charges (read 13 October 2026); Ofwat: assessed charges (read 13 October 2026); CCW: should I get a water meter fitted? (read 13 October 2026); CCW: can I ask for a water meter if I rent my home? (read 13 October 2026)

• ✓South East Water: with a total household income between £17,000 and £22,020 you get a 30% discount, and below £17,000 a 50% discount. Disability and housing payments are not counted as income.
• ✓South East Water: because it bills on behalf of your wastewater supplier, the tariff also discounts the wastewater part of your bill.
• ✓South East Water: it also asks you to call if you receive a qualifying benefit and have three or more children under 19 at home or a medical condition that needs more water, or if you live alone or in a bedsit or sheltered accommodation.
• ✓CCW: every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you are on a low income, and who is eligible and the level of support varies depending on your water company.
• ✓CCW: WaterSure caps the water and sewerage bill of customers on a water meter who receive an income-related benefit and either get child benefit for three or more children under 19 or use extra water because of a medical condition.
• ✓GOV.UK: a WaterSure reform is set to come into force in early 2027. People on disability benefits become eligible where household income is below £25,745 a year, the cap moves to the lowest possible average bill, and the paid-for doctor's note goes. Scheduled, not yet in force.

Sources: South East Water: help paying your water bill (read 13 October 2026); CCW: help with bills (read 13 October 2026); CCW: what is WaterSure? (read 13 October 2026); GOV.UK: reduced bills for around 300,000 households in WaterSure reform (read 13 October 2026)

• ✓South East Water: you can close your account through your online account or by calling 0333 000 0001.
• ✓CCW: the homeowner is responsible for maintaining the water pipes on private property up to the boundary of the road. The water main, the connection up to your boundary, the outside stop tap and the meter are the company's.
• ✓Ofwat: companies are required by their licences to reimburse the cost of water lost through leakage by way of credits to your bill, a leakage allowance that can apply to water and wastewater charges. You can only claim once the leak has been repaired, and it can be refused if you did not arrange the repair within the company's timeframe.
• ✓CCW: complain to the company first and give it a chance to put things right. If it does not reply within 10 working days you may be entitled to a Guaranteed Standards Scheme payment. CCW can take the complaint on once you have a final response or have waited eight weeks, and its service is free.

Sources: South East Water: what to do when moving home (read 13 October 2026); CCW: who is responsible for my water pipes? (read 13 October 2026); Ofwat: metered customers and applying for metered charges (read 13 October 2026); CCW: make a complaint (read 13 October 2026)

• ✓Taupia keeps the South East Water account next to your energy, broadband and mobile: what it costs, when it is due, and each housemate's share on the rule your household sets.
• ✓For energy, broadband and mobile, Taupia compares your tariff against the market and lines up a switch when one is worth it. Water is monitored only, because it cannot be switched.
• ✓Taupia is free. You pay the water company directly, as you always have, and nothing changes without your approval.