People living in flats or in houses with spare bedrooms could be wasting money on water bills - and one change could save them hundreds. Martin Lewis explained that unlike with energy, there is "no switching" and "no competition" when it comes to your water supplier.
However, there is still a way you could get onto a lower charge. The finance expert explained how on his ITV show The Martin Lewis Money Show Live this week - as one woman said making the change saved her around £1,100 on her water bill, reported Yorkshire Live.
Martin told viewers: "Many people who live in flats can't get a water meter. It's called 'not practicable' to have a water meter fitted, in which case you can ask for an 'assessed charge'.
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"That's where they work out how much you would pay if you were on a water meter, even though you can't have one, and you're charged that rather than the water rates." He went on to add that the change can help people living in houses too, if they have spare bedrooms.
The MoneySavingExpert founder continued: "Do you have more or the same number of people as bedrooms in your home? If the answer is no, a water meter may save you money in England and Wales.
"Two people, three bedrooms - why would that be better on a water meter? Because water rates are based on the rateable value of your house, which is a proxy for the value of your house.
"You've got this big old house here so they'll be charging you a lot, but there's only two people here so they won't be using that much. Water meters measure your water usage and your sewage, so that will probably be cheaper.
"This can be hundreds of pounds. Now if you have a voluntary change, you usually have two years that you can switch back to water rates if a water meter isn't working for you.
"If you're disabled or you've got related medical issues that mean you need to use a lot of water or you're on benefits, speak to your energy firm. There's often, but not always, help available to you."
One pensioner wrote in to Martin to tell him that following his advice on water bills had saved her more than £1,000. The tip was recently shared on the MoneySavingExpert.com website.
She wrote: "I saw you suggest getting in touch with your water company if you were unable to have a water meter, to ask for an assessment. My provider called me back to say, I'm now due a rebate of £1,132.81! As a 76 year old relying on her state pension, this is like winning the lottery."
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