Our use of cookies Everything you need to know about your holiday lets water supply
British holidaymakers are increasingly opting for a holiday closer to home and finding their perfect stay on Airbnb. Homeowners are taking advantage of the staycation boom, with over 200,000 properties now used as holiday lets in the UK.
Airbnb hosts often ask us what actions they should take now their property is used as a holiday let. Here’s our guide to the most commonly asked questions:
How can I reduce water consumption?
Reducing water consumption at your Airbnb has the twin benefits of improving the environmental sustainability of your holiday home and lowering your water charges. These are two simple steps that are cheap and effective in reducing water consumption:
Toilet cistern reduction device – A cistern is the tank of water at the top of your toilet that stores water used in flushing. A cistern reduction device reduces the amount of water held in this tank to save up to three litres of water in each flush.
Tap aerators – Tap aerators fitted to the end of taps separates the flowing water into tiny streams separated by air gaps. The mix of water and air means your guests won’t notice a reduction in water pressure but the amount of water used is significantly reduced.
Should I fit my holiday property with a smart water meter?
Having a smart water meter on your Airbnb has the advantages of:
- Helping to measure the water being consumed by your guests so you can stay in control of your utility costs.
- Avoiding estimated bills from your water supplier.
- Helping you detect increases in consumption that could indicate a water leak.
- Saves you time by not having to take manual meter readings.
To upgrade to a smart water meter we recommend discussing directly with your water supplier, who can arrange for one to be fitted.
How does my holiday property get charged business water rates?
Holiday let properties with a water meter will be charged by their water supplier in two different ways:
Standing charges – Fixed charges each year for being connected to the potable water and sewerage system. Depending on your region, this could include highways and surface drainage charges.
Volumetric charges – A charge levied for each cubic meter of water used and returned to the sewerage system. The more water used at your property, the higher this charge will be.
Holiday lets should not be billed for VAT on their water bills.
How much can I save by switching business water suppliers for my holiday let?
It depends on your current situation – many factors play into how much you could save; these include the location of your holiday let and whether you’re on a default contract.
You can view the latest business water rates here to see the current default rates in your area. But, we recommend you get a detailed comparison using the business water rates comparison tool. That way, you can compare a range of rates and suppliers in minutes.
Can I switch business water suppliers?
Switching to cheaper deals for business utilities is a great way to save money and improve your investment return. The question we commonly get asked is, can I switch business water suppliers for my Airbnb?
The British water market is only partially deregulated – properties classified as homes cannot change water suppliers, while non-household properties can choose their business water suppliers.
The best way to determine if your property is included in the open water market is to check if you are being invoiced by a water wholesaler (as a household) or a business water supplier (as a non-household). The list to refer to is below:
| Regional water companies | Business water suppliers |
|---|---|
| Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig | Anglian Water Business |
| Hafren Dyfrdwy Cyfyngedig | Brightwater |
| Scottish Water | Business Stream |
| Northumbrian Water | Cambrian Utilities |
| Severn Trent Water | Castle Water |
| Southern Water | Clear Business Water |
| South West Water | ConservAqua |
| Thames Water | Everflow |
| United Utilities | First Business Water |
| Wessex Water | Pinnacle Business Water |
| Yorkshire Water | Pure Business Water |
| Affinity Water | Source for business |
| Bristol Water | Regent Water |
| Portsmouth Water | Smarta Water |
| South East Water | Veolia Water |
| South Staffordshire Water | The Water Retail Company |
| Sutton and East Surrey Water | Water Plus |
You can switch water suppliers if a business water supplier is billing you. Use the AquaSwitch comparison service to find the best business water rates.
I’ve recently opened an Airbnb – How do I move to the open water market?
If you have recently opened a new Airbnb and believe you now meet the definition of a non-household property, you can benefit from the open water market.
To add your holiday property to the non-household water market, you must contact a business water supplier directly and request that they take you on as a new customer.
Our guide to business water suppliers sets out your options and gives you direct contact information.
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