Try the official Ofwat postcode tool, or just Google “[your water company] find a meter.” Most have a one-click checker. It’s faster than making toast, and you won’t burn your fingers.
Pro tip: if the property is in Scotland, the system is slightly different—they’re mostly metered since 2004. But in England and Wales, it’s a wild mix. One street can have five metered houses and one that’s basically paying for a swimming pool.
But Wait—What If There’s No Meter?
Don’t panic. You can request a meter for free from most water companies. It’s like asking for a receipt after a date: awkward but smart. The company must install one if it’s “practicable.”
However, if your postcode checker says “no meter,” and the property is a mansion with a Japanese koi pond, ask the seller why. They might be hiding a leak the size of a garden hose—to your bank account.
