Received a debt letter

Christopherj_2

notenoughcash wrote: »

That seems a bit unfair if they've only sent you one reminder, I'd write to or e-mail them and explain the situation and quote date on reminder letter. I'm sure if you offer to set up payment by direct debit they'll let you do that without the extra charge. They were reasonable enough with me when I got in touch at same stage as you any way.

I have already set up a direct debit with them, but the charges remain.

MyLastFiver

Make sure the Direct Debit is for a set amount and not variable. If it's variable, cancel it so they cannot just take the £65 charge from your bank.

Pay the £85 arrears.

Do not pay the charge.

Do not bother discussing it on the phone - the call centre staff do not have the authority or the training to exercise any discretion.

Write to them and tell them you're not paying the charge and set out your reasons.

If they continue to assert the charge, complain politely through the company's official channels.

If you don't get anywhere, escalate the complaint in line with their complaints procedures.

If you still don't get anywhere, complain to OFWAT.

Good luck

Honeybee_2

Christopherj wrote: »

Who paid it in the end?

I certainly didn't! I paid my own bill but I wasn't prepared to pay for somebody elses.

Christopherj_2

The letter was from the internal debt collection department, would the charges be the fee from the debt collection department?

notenoughcash

I've just been reading your other thread. Is the charge they've added for the outstanding balance at your last address rather than late payment on your new address? As the new year for water rates starts in April they ask for the balance to paid in full by end of March. I see no reason why they would add charges if you are now up to date on this year's payments through direct debit. Maybe you should contact them to clarify exactly what you owe from your last property and what you owe from this one.

Christopherj_2

The one at my previous property is another company. Refer to my first post. I hadn't paid my water bill for three months from the date I moved to this property, when I eventually set up a direct debit with them, I already owed them three months worth. I ignored one warning letter threatening to take legal action if I did not pay the amount they were asking for in full. When I received the next letter, they added alot of charges to my account, which I feel is unfair because they only sent me one letter about the bill.