Martin Lewis has shared a crucial tip for households with more bedrooms than occupants. The Money Saving Expert founder’s advice has come back to light after it was announced that the annual water bill in the UK will increase by an average of £123 from April 1.
The hike, confirmed by industry body Water UK, will take the average water and wastewater bill from £480 to £603 for the next year alone.
On an earlier episode of the Martin Lewis Money Show Live, Martin highlighted that while you can’t change your water supplier, you can still reduce your bills. He recommended considering the installation of a water meter, which measures home water usage, and detailed who might benefit most from this.
Martin said: “Do you have more or the same number of bedrooms in your house than people? So three bedrooms, two people, you would say yes. Because water bills are based on the value of your house, the rateable value, so the bigger it is, the more you’ll pay, whereas meters depend on how much you use. The less people, the less you use.”
He further said: “Remember, it doesn’t just cut the amount of water you use, but so much of the water we use is heated that it cuts your energy use too. If you’re on a water meter you get the double saving.”
This means that some households could avoid the potential increase in their water bills for the 2025/26 period, which equates to a rise of around £10a month.
Martin Lewis recommends using the free calculator on the Consumer Council for Water website to see if you’d save money with a water meter, reports the Manchester Evening News.
You’ll need to answer questions about your water habits, such as the number of showers per week, dishwasher usage, and your current bill. The calculator will then estimate what you’d likely pay with a meter.
Martin advises visiting your water provider’s website to apply for a meter or contacting them directly. He also suggests asking for an ‘assessed charge bill’, checking eligibility for a sewerage rebate, and reducing water use.
If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, the Money Saving Expert website advises: “Struggling to pay? Contact your supplier. All companies offer some kind of support – this can be anything from providing repayment plans, discounts or even a cap on how much you pay.”