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uk Home & property emergencies

What to do if…
your water meter is moving even though all taps and appliances are off

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Treat the moving meter as a possible active leak: stop using water, turn off the inside stop tap if you can do so safely, and check whether the meter keeps moving.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t ignore it until the next bill.
  • Don’t turn taps or appliances on and off while you are trying to watch the meter.
  • Don’t force a stuck stop tap; forcing it can break it.
  • Don’t lift heavy covers, reach into chambers, or dig outside if you are not sure it is safe.
  • Don’t assume responsibility or cost in the moment; first isolate the water and record what you see.

What to do now

  1. Check for immediate water damage. Look for pooling water, damp patches, dripping sounds, a wet pipe cupboard, a toilet that keeps refilling, or water near the boiler, ceiling, sockets, or fuse box. If water is near electrics, stay clear of the area and get urgent professional help.
  2. Make sure no water is being used. Check taps, showers, outside taps, hoses, washing machines, dishwashers, water filters, and toilet cisterns. If a toilet has just flushed or an appliance has just filled, wait a few minutes before deciding the meter is still moving.
  3. Turn off the inside stop tap if you can do this safely. It is usually where the water pipe enters the home, often under the kitchen sink, in a cupboard, near the front door, in a utility room, garage, bathroom, cellar, or under the stairs. Turn it clockwise. Do not use excessive force.
  4. Look at the meter again with the inside stop tap off.
    • If the meter keeps moving, the leak is usually between the meter and the inside stop tap, or connected to the supply before it reaches your internal pipework. Contact your water supplier and say: “My meter is moving with the inside stop tap turned off.”
    • If the meter stops moving, the leak is usually inside the property after the stop tap. Contact a qualified plumber, or use WaterSafe to look for an approved plumber.
  5. Record what happened. Take a photo of the meter reading, note the time, and write down whether the inside stop tap was open or closed. If the situation is safe and no water is being used, take another reading after about an hour or after an overnight no-use period.
  6. Check common silent leak points. Listen for a toilet refilling when nobody has flushed, look for a constant trickle into the toilet pan, check outside taps and hose timers, and look under sinks and around visible appliance feeds for dampness.
  7. If you rent, tell your landlord or letting agent now. Say that the meter is moving when all taps and appliances are off, and include your photos and stop tap test result.
  8. Leave the water off if that is safe and practical. This can reduce water loss and damage risk while you wait for your supplier, landlord, or plumber. Turn it back on only if the household needs water and you can manage the risk.

What can wait

  • You do not need to find the exact leak point right now.
  • You do not need to decide who pays right now.
  • You do not need to agree to major pipe work before the supplier or plumber has assessed the situation.
  • You do not need to keep testing once you have clear photos, times, readings, and the stop tap result.

Important reassurance

A moving meter with everything off is worrying, but the next step is simple: stop water use, isolate what you safely can, and report the test result. That usually gives the water supplier or plumber the information they need to decide the next step.

Scope note

These are first steps only. Repair responsibility, leak allowances, landlord duties, shared supply pipes, and supplier help can vary by property, pipe layout, water supplier, and location, so later decisions may need specialist help.

Important note

This guide is general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, therapeutic, plumbing, engineering, or other professional advice.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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