Yes it is - or so I was told by my solicitor on completion, you have a basic charge whether its used or not and then a charge for useage, not sure if its every 2 or 3 months we get billed, I was told that between electricity and water that one of them is every 2 months and one is every 3 months but cant remember which ones which.... was told so much info whilst there couldnt take it all in . HTH
Carol