Backdated water bill new supply

dionysis

I have rented a house on a farm estate since 1987.
Our water supply was part of a main supply to all the houses on the estate, and we never received a seperate water bill.
In 2004 a seperate water supply and meter to our house was apparently laid/fitted. We received no formal notification from the Water company or our landlord.
The water company never read the meter or sent us a bill until May 2009.
We have now received a bill for the 5 years for £ 1144.
Were the water company obliged to officially notify us of the change of supply and proposed new billing in 2004 ?
We still have no idea where the meter is, and where the new supply pipe runs to.

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Blame your landlord I am afraid.

The Water company have no idea if your property is occupied.

deanos

If you ring the water co. they will have the location of the meter on there system, then wont have details of where the supply pipe runs tho as they dont keep those details

dionysis

But if I'm being backbilled because of the incompotence of the water board in not issuing bills and not telling me of responsibilty for the new water supply, what's my position ?

Cardew

dionysis wrote: »

But if I'm being backbilled because of the incompotence of the water board in not issuing bills and not telling me of responsibilty for the new water supply, what's my position ?

Did you or the landlord inform them that your house was occupied?

The landlord must have known a meter was being fitted, he should have told you to contact the water company with your name and set up payment details etc.


That said, even if the Water Company were at fault they can still back-bill you for 6 years. They will normally allow you time to pay back the debt.

deanos

Im sorry i cant help you there, they wouldnt have just put in a new supply on a whim someone has paid for it , your landlord ?

Headsabovewater

The most important thing is to look over you tennancy agreement.
If a new water supply was fitted in 2004 did you sign a new tannancy agreement.
If it states you are not responsable for water bills then the water bill is not yours to pay.
If it does not state you are responsable then get some free advice from a solicitor.
The water company did not pick your name out of the sky either yourself or the landlord gave the details and stated you were responsable for the bills or your name was taken from the land regestry which means you are responsable.
Your tennancy agreement is the key.