Individual Water Meters: Tenants in France
How water meters work
An individual meter records the water used by your dwelling and allows the bill to be charged directly to your consumption. A collective meter measures the whole building and the cost is allocated among occupants according to a distribution key provided by the lease or co-ownership rules.
Individual vs collective meters
The main consequences for a tenant are: billing based on actual use, need for regular readings, and options to dispute based on consumption evidence.
- Billing on actual use: you pay according to your real consumption.
- Readings and evidence: take photos or capture indexes at reading times.
- Supporting documents: the landlord must provide accounts and allocation methods on request.
Who pays what?
If meters are individual, the tenant pays their consumption. If the system is collective, allocation may be by sub-meter readings or according to an agreed key (area, number of occupants). If you doubt the allocation key or reading accuracy, ask the landlord for supporting documents and accounts.[1]
Reading the meter and understanding adjustments
A reading shows the meter index at a given date. Compare two indexes to calculate your consumption for the period. Charge adjustments usually occur once a year: the landlord compares paid provisions with actual expenses and adjusts the balance to pay or refund.
- Deadlines: annual adjustment must be detailed and justified.
- Repairs: if a leak is found, report it and request coverage according to your responsibility.
What to do in case of a dispute?
Start by writing to the landlord to request explanations and supporting documents. If the reply is insufficient, contact the departmental conciliation commission or, as a last resort, the judicial court. The amicable procedure via the commission is free and often effective to avoid a trial.[2]
FAQ
- Who pays the water if the meter is individual?
- The tenant concerned pays their consumption measured by the individual meter.
- Can the landlord allocate water charges differently?
- Yes, if the lease or co-ownership rules provide an allocation key; otherwise billing on actual use applies.
- What to do if the adjustment seems incorrect?
- Request written supporting documents, check readings, then contact the departmental conciliation commission if necessary.
- How long to contest an adjustment?
- Respond and contest promptly after receiving the adjustment: keep evidence and respect procedural deadlines.
How to
- Gather evidence: photos of meter indexes, receipts, and correspondence with the landlord.
- Ask the landlord in writing for invoices and the allocation method.
- If unsatisfied, contact the departmental conciliation commission for mediation.
- As a last resort, take the judicial court with a complete file (evidence and letters).
Key takeaways
- Individual meters charge the dwelling's actual consumption.
- Always request written supporting documents from the landlord.
- The departmental conciliation commission is a useful step before court.
Help and support / Resources
- [1] Service-public.fr — Charges locatives and adjustments
- [2] Legifrance — Applicable texts and codes (1989 law and codes)
