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5 Yr Old Bill - Southern Water
brighton1_2
Posts: 1 Newbie
in Water bills
Hi, I hope someone can help – I used to share an apartment in Brighton with another lady in which we moved out of over 5 years ago. On the 28th of July 2004 – I called Southern Water to advise we were moving and requested our final bill.
Now, the lady I used to live with has just been contacted by a debt collection agency (who apparantly aren't even authorised to chase this money..) advising that we have an outstanding bill for this property. We have been in contact with Southern Water to query this as we’re both quite certain that all of our bills were settled when we moved out 5 years ago. Our issue is that it was so long ago that we can not remember specifically paying this bill. I’ve been with a new bank for about 4 years now so my records do not stretch back to 5 years (I have cancelled my previous bank account and therefore I can not check any old statements/bank for proof which is rather frustrating). Furthermore what is a bit niggling about this is we were both named customers on further Southern Water bills in every other property that we’ve both lived at, so it seems odd that this bill would suddenly surface after 5 years – surely this would have been brought to our attention previously if this was the case as they would have had our contact details?
We’ve been in contact with the water company and they’re sending us out a copy of this bill but have said there’s nothing they can do as according to their ‘system’ we owe this money.
I just want to know where we stand with all of this..it seems crazy that we have to just accept what their ‘system’ says after all of this time. I believe it's after 6 years that a utility company must release a customer from an old bill?
We're happy to pay if this is what we owe, but as it's so long ago we feel that Southern Water could be ripping us off and we don't even know as we're going by their 'system' which let's face it makes many errors..
Any advice?
Now, the lady I used to live with has just been contacted by a debt collection agency (who apparantly aren't even authorised to chase this money..) advising that we have an outstanding bill for this property. We have been in contact with Southern Water to query this as we’re both quite certain that all of our bills were settled when we moved out 5 years ago. Our issue is that it was so long ago that we can not remember specifically paying this bill. I’ve been with a new bank for about 4 years now so my records do not stretch back to 5 years (I have cancelled my previous bank account and therefore I can not check any old statements/bank for proof which is rather frustrating). Furthermore what is a bit niggling about this is we were both named customers on further Southern Water bills in every other property that we’ve both lived at, so it seems odd that this bill would suddenly surface after 5 years – surely this would have been brought to our attention previously if this was the case as they would have had our contact details?
We’ve been in contact with the water company and they’re sending us out a copy of this bill but have said there’s nothing they can do as according to their ‘system’ we owe this money.
I just want to know where we stand with all of this..it seems crazy that we have to just accept what their ‘system’ says after all of this time. I believe it's after 6 years that a utility company must release a customer from an old bill?
We're happy to pay if this is what we owe, but as it's so long ago we feel that Southern Water could be ripping us off and we don't even know as we're going by their 'system' which let's face it makes many errors..
Any advice?
0
Comments
-
Welcome to the forum.
You are correct that a water company can chase a bill for up to 6 years. Although few of us do this, it is the reason why you should retain records for that period of time.
On the question of contact details, I don't believe any Utility company would check that Ms Brighton1 of 1 Railway Cuttings East Cheam, is the same person Ms Brighton1 of another address. If they sent bills to a person with the same name at another address, and they were not liable, there would be uproar!
Think how difficult it would be if your name was J Smith; even more difficult if you had moved out of the area, got married and changed your name, another person in your new address was named on the account.
Conversly if they wrote and asked you if you were responsible for the bill from 1 Railway Cuttings, I wonder how many people would respond.
There have been a lot of cases like yours being reported on MSE. It is conjecture, but it seems that some 'enterprising' DCA have bought all these debts and are chasing them.
Unless you can question the validity of the bill, or prove that you paid it, there isn't a great deal you can do I am afraid.0 -
Its probably best to check with the water company directly about the bill and see what they say and check that it was for when you lived there etc. Debt companies can often send letters to who they think it might be the right person when they aren't.
If you find out that you do owe the money then i would ask the water company if you can deal with them direct and not the debt collectors as they will add in extra charges plus you might be able to agree small monthly payments with the water company.
Hope this helps0
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