Water Bills questions and comment

Somerset

Saw another thread on here asking if ''empty and unfurnished'' meant no water rates. In the other poster's case the answer was ''yes''. Is this the same for all water companies ? I can't see anything on the Southern Water website saying anything about this, either way.

I've been paying water rates on an empty place for four months simply because I didn't know there was an option not to ! IF they shouldn't have been payable because it was empty/unfurnished - what are my chances of getting a refund ? I appreciate I should have told them at the time - but I didn't know it made a difference.

JC_Derby

Looking at my bill today from STW.

just want to query a couple of things
Water supply
Water standing charge
Used Water
Used Water Standing charge
Measured Drainage

i understand the water supply and also the water standing charge. Im not sure i understand the used water charge (i assumed this was for water i used is that correct?) is that in which case why do i also get charged for drainage?OR why do i get charged for used water when ive already paid to buy the water. Further to that why do you get a standing charge on used water?
thanks in advance

Gothicfairy

The standing charge is really for the meter. It covers the cost of the meter being there ( ie replaced, repaired etc) the reason it is split into 2 is that some people have one charge from one company and another for another company and both would wish to charge standing charges.
Therefore the customer could end up paying both companies the same charge
Also some customers only get one service..ie clean water and therefore only pay that one charge.
It did use to be one total charge but that changed years ago to make it fairer for the customer.

Water charge is indeed for clean water

Used water is for foul and again that is charged differently depending on the company
STW charge about 81p for the used water at 100% the same Cubic meter other companies charge 95% by usage but at a higher rate : IE STW charge 5 m3 for clean and then 5m3 for used whereas some might charge 5m3 for clean and only 4m3 used but at £1.12 say ( the reason you pay for foul is that it needs to be cleaned and treated)

The charge would really remain the same no matter how the bill is broken up as it is down to OFWAT to set the prices and the amount of profit the company can make but by breaking it up this way it is fairer again on people that do not have both services.

Measured drainage is based on your property type ie flat/ semi /detached and is for rain water that enters the water course and again would need to be treated.
If you have a soakaway apply to have that removed from you account.

Taking all that into account it is still pretty cheap water as a bottled litre would cost what ? at least 70p and you are getting 1000 litres for just over £2.00

monteleo

just had a letter from dca on behalve of uu saying i owe them £1500 unpaid water from a adress i live at with my ex 6 months ago we have split and the letter was sent to my new address
help

Cardew

monteleo wrote: »

just had a letter from dca on behalve of uu saying i owe them £1500 unpaid water from a adress i live at with my ex 6 months ago we have split and the letter was sent to my new address
help

You will get far better help if you post this issue on the 'Debt-free wannabe' forum on MSE.

Until you have that advice I suggest you don't contact the DCA.

manicgiggler

I have recently discovered (after paying my water bill!) that Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru) have a discount scheme for people with certain medical conditions that increases their usage of water, people on low incomes and those with more than a specific number of children.

Having figured I had nothing to lose by getting my doctor to fill in the form and providing the requested documentation to prove how vital my water supply is and how much I need to use it I have managed to DRASTICALLY REDUCE my water bill and even paid my refund into the bank yesterday.

Thank you Welsh Water (Dwr Cymru)

Lemonzoo

Hi All,

I have a quick question. I have a bill from July to Novemeber for a property I moved out of in August. The landlord at the time took a meter reading but never gave it to me. The water supplier has a meter reading for November. They have refused to estimate a bill to August when I moved and are asking they I pay until Novemeber. Can they do this? Or do I legaly have a right to request a bill for my period of tennancy?

Many Thanks for your help. It is very much appreciated.

Cardew

Lemonzoo wrote: »

Hi All,

I have a quick question. I have a bill from July to Novemeber for a property I moved out of in August. The landlord at the time took a meter reading but never gave it to me. The water supplier has a meter reading for November. They have refused to estimate a bill to August when I moved and are asking they I pay until Novemeber. Can they do this? Or do I legaly have a right to request a bill for my period of tennancy?

Many Thanks for your help. It is very much appreciated.

Had you contacted the water supplier in August, given them the meter reading, and told them you were leaving, them you would have got an accurate bill.

So the dispute is between you and your landlord, not the water supplier; they bill the account holder until told of a change.

Was the property occupied between Aug and Nov?

Lemonzoo

Hi,

I am the account holder. The property was sold after my tennancy so I'm unsure if it was empty or not.

The dispute is between me and the water company,. As the landlord was selling the property he took a water reading. Which he said he would give to me. Which he hasn't.

Do you think I am emtitled to an estimated bill?

Thanks

Ryan

Cardew

Lemonzoo wrote: »

Hi,


Do you think I am emtitled to an estimated bill?

Thanks

Ryan

No, afraid not!

You appear to have been conned by the old landlord, but you were the account holder, didn't notify the water supplier you were leaving and failed to give them a meter reading.

If you got your old landlord to accept responsibility for the August - November period and either give the water company the meter reading when you moved out, or accepted an agreed estimated reading, then the water company would no doubt amend your bill.

Someone has got to pay for the water.