Inconsistant bills.

Jami74

A bit confused about our Southern Water bill. Can anyone help?

Last July we were billed £222.35 (13 Dec 06-05 Jul 07) which seemed rather a lot. I phoned them and was told that it was correct and the meter doesn't lie.

This July we've been billed £88.93 (10 Jan 08-30 Jun 08) which of course we're much happier about. It was also calculated by meter reading.

I don't understand why the price drop, I can see that it is over less time but last years bill still works out double the amount. The volume charge has gone up per cubic meter and we haven't changed our water habits.

I'd like to phone and ask if they made a mistake last year and I was overcharged but I'm not sure if they'll decide to up this years bill.

Any advice or suggestions really appreciated.

Cardew

What about your July 07 to Jan 08 bill?

The probable explanation is that one of your bills - possibly the first bill(Dec 06 to Jul 07) was based on an over estimated meter reading.

The important thing to check is that your meter readings for Dec 06 and Jun 08 are correct.

tehone

Did you read your meter? Are the figures estimates or actual readings?

Perhaps there was a leak (on your side of the meter) last year that has been fixed?

Jami74

I can't find the middle bill but I think it was about £180. As far as I know the meters were read, they usually come out in December and June and there's nothing on the bill to suggest it's an estimate.

I'm not aware there's been any repairs done.

whatatwit

So really, the 1st bill and the middle bill were consistent, it's the latest bill that's low.
how many cubic metres have you been billed for on each bill?

whatatwit

So, how many did you get billed for in June.
Comparing the 3 bills, are they all pretty much the same, with only the prices per cubic metre and the volume used changing?

Jami74

Found missing bill!

Volume of Water supplied in cubic metres

13 Dec 06 - 05 Jul 07 90
06 Jul 07 - 09 Jan 08 111
10 Jan 08 - 30 Jun 08 24

None of the bills give any indication that they are estimates and we haven't had any plumbing done. I think the meter was fitted in the middle of 2006, the same meter number is on the top of each bill. We live in a three bedroomed terrace.

Should I phone them and question it? Or just be grateful it's gone down?

whatatwit

I would check that the meter reading is correct for your latest bill, we had a meter reader do the gas and the figure he entered bears no resembalance to the actual reading.
In view of the fact that the price of water is permanently on the increase, if the reading is wrong, I would advise them now.
Or, you could face a huge bill in January when a correct reading is taken.
If the reading is the same or close to it, then I'd just keep a close eye on the meter and maybe read once a week to get an average usage pattern.

Jami74

You were right. I've just read the meter and we've used about 200m3 more than their meter reading.

Can't really afford to pay anymore now so might just have to look forward to a huge bill in December.

Thanks for all your replies.

whatatwit

Crikey.....that's a lot more. :eek:

I think then that you should start putting extra money aside for when it gets picked up.

Quick thought, are you sure it's your meter that you have read. Maybe try turning everything off and seeing if the dial moves and then running a tap and checking the dial.
Do you know when you last had an actual reading taken?

I don't know if it's because I live in a part commercial/part domestic road that my meter is actually read every 6 months, although I need to figure out how to access the thing to take my own reading just to keep my beady eye on it.

Jami74

Yes it is definately our meter. I checked the number on it against the one on the bill. Plus I remember them installing it.

I might phone them up anyway. Where we used to live estimated readings had an E next to them which gave us chance to read the meter and inform the water board.