Water Bills questions and comment

deanos

Sounds like the meter may have stopped, turn on a cold water tap and look at the meter the dials should be spinning, and after a short while the red digits will start to click over, if not then its faulty

mapleoak

Deanos

Thanks for that. I can't see anything other than it's faulty but I don't know what United Utilities policy is in terms of calculating back charges. I have had a look on the internet and there are some suggestions that the water company can go back and charge 18 months or even 3 years, other people suggest they would wait for a "proper" reading and then take it from there. I haven't got a couple of thousand pounds burning a hole in my pocket so am fairly worried.

HEIDIJONES

My water meter has stopped and i have now had 2 bill sent in the same weekone with the reading when it had stopped and one with an estimated reading. Can the water company estimate how much i have used and charge me or do thay have to take the reading from when the meter stopped

Gothicfairy

If the meter has stopped then it needs to be replaced however the water company can work out your billed based on your average daily consumption.

~You need to call the water company and let them know, If they don't already.

Woodyrocks

Just wanted to update on my application to Thames Water Trust Fund - I received a letter today and it was successful :j I am made up as you can imagine :beer: They have made a grant of half of what I owe directly to my Thames Water account.

HTH anyone considering submitting an application. It was worthwhile for me. Just need to wait until September to apply for the EDF Trust!

Tracker_Shaun

I have recently moved to a new property that is the same rateable value as the old property. Southern Water have now doubled the cost from £220 a year to £440. When we explained that the previous tenants only paid £220 and our neighbours pay £220, they are not interested. We moved in May09 and recieved a bill for the full amount of £440 (1 year). We paid £220 which should cover us until October 09, we now have recieved a final notice for £220 and they have passed our debt onto a debt collection agency. When we asked about a water meter we are told that it will take up to 3 months to install if the Landlord gives approval. When i enquired about a refund after the water meter is fitted they said no. Even though we should only be paying £220 we are being forced into paying £440. Not sure about anyone else but i feel very annoyed that Southern Water are allowed to bully customers like this. Why do i have to pay now for something i may not even use as we may leave the property before November. This is grossly unfair especially in these current credit crunch times that SW force customers to pay over the top and in advance. Please any advice on how i can defer payment and who i can complain too. Cheers.

welly2_2

just recieved water bill double previous 3 years readings . water company checked meter they said that they had been reading meter incorrectly and correct reading shows that i owe them double my previous bills .
what is my legal position anyone?????

Kaulew

Hi everyone,

does this sound right to you?

Several months ago I applied to have a water meter fitted and after a visit from one of Thames Water's engineers was told my home was unsuitable for one.

After checking their website I noticed:

"If your home is not suitable for a water meter we'll apply the Assessed Household Charge.

This is a tiered charging system based on the size of your property.

The charges are less than the average metered household charge.

Properties with one bedroom are charged £209. Two bedrooms £230, and three or more £284.

There is also a new 'single occupier' charge being introduced this year for customers on the AHC who are living alone, of £165."


They are demanding I pay them £421.56 (arrears from last year)

As I am a single occupier of a one bedroomed flat it seems a little steep to me. I have emailed them and asked if it's correct but they simply replied and gave me the options of how to pay.

Thanks.

ruffman66

Hi, Can you give me a little advice. I called up south west water as they are trying to put my direct debit up by about £30 a month. I am on a meter and can see no real reason that they are doing this other than to have my money in their bank making interest for them.
When I told them i didn't want them to put it up they said they are and they will not enter into any discussions over it. it is to go up that much. I said that it is only the way they have oredicted it but some of my circumstances have changed, they said they would reduce the amount they want to put it up then by £5.

What can I do please? Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

Regards.... another person being robbed by the 21st century highway dandyman...

Gothicfairy

Kaulew wrote: »

Hi everyone,

does this sound right to you?

Several months ago I applied to have a water meter fitted and after a visit from one of Thames Water's engineers was told my home was unsuitable for one.

After checking their website I noticed:

"If your home is not suitable for a water meter we'll apply the Assessed Household Charge.

This is a tiered charging system based on the size of your property.

The charges are less than the average metered household charge.

Properties with one bedroom are charged £209. Two bedrooms £230, and three or more £284.

There is also a new 'single occupier' charge being introduced this year for customers on the AHC who are living alone, of £165."


They are demanding I pay them £421.56 (arrears from last year)

As I am a single occupier of a one bedroomed flat it seems a little steep to me. I have emailed them and asked if it's correct but they simply replied and gave me the options of how to pay.

Thanks.

As you applied for a meter and was unable to have one fitted you would be asked if assessed charges were better for you. However you old rate of charge would still apply up until the date they went out and tried to fit the meter (some go back to the date you applied)
You did not clear you rateable value bill so it will be due and the amount is a set amount for your property so to be honest it really doesn't matter how high it is there is nothing anyone can do to change it other then the option you have already taken.
You would have been better off applying for a meter last year but I am wondering how come your arrears are so high for one year. Did you not pay anything towards your bill at all ?