Water Bills questions and comment

coco1958

I have just received my water bill from Severn Trent for the period 10.05.13 to 07.11.13 (6 months) and I was shocked at how much it was... £272! I am on a meter but I live alone. According to my bill, I have consumed 85 cubic metres of water during this 6-month period, which sounds over the top to me. Although I live in a detached house (rented) I do not use a garden hose (don't have one), I don't have a car to wash, I do 3 machines loads of washing per week or less sometimes, I shower once a day (no baths), I don't have a dishwasher either. So how can I possibly be consuming so much water? As far as I was concerned, I was being fairly frugal with my water consumption. I receive job seekers allowance as well as housing and council tax benefit as I have been out of work for over a year (despite hundreds of job application and very few interviews) so I'm not sure if I am entitled to any discounts on the water bill. I only moved into this house in March and my first bill was just for 7 weeks which was £47, so I thought that was about right, and I had to do a lot of cleaning when I first moved in so probably used a lot more water then too. I will have to contact my water company on Monday but wondered if anyone here thinks this bill is correct? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Cardew

coco1958 wrote: »

I have just received my water bill from Severn Trent for the period 10.05.13 to 07.11.13 (6 months) and I was shocked at how much it was... £272! I am on a meter but I live alone. According to my bill, I have consumed 85 cubic metres of water during this 6-month period, which sounds over the top to me. Although I live in a detached house (rented) I do not use a garden hose (don't have one), I don't have a car to wash, I do 3 machines loads of washing per week or less sometimes, I shower once a day (no baths), I don't have a dishwasher either. So how can I possibly be consuming so much water? As far as I was concerned, I was being fairly frugal with my water consumption. I receive job seekers allowance as well as housing and council tax benefit as I have been out of work for over a year (despite hundreds of job application and very few interviews) so I'm not sure if I am entitled to any discounts on the water bill. I only moved into this house in March and my first bill was just for 7 weeks which was £47, so I thought that was about right, and I had to do a lot of cleaning when I first moved in so probably used a lot more water then too. I will have to contact my water company on Monday but wondered if anyone here thinks this bill is correct? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Welcome to the forum

Have you checked if any of the readings on both bills are estimated?

They could be estimated on the consumption of previous tenants.

The average consumption for a single person for 6 months should be in the region of 25 to 30 cubic metres.

edwink

Hi everyone


Not sure if anyone will be able to help. I have tried on many occasions to read my water meter but it is always misted up with condensation. I always like to keep track of my water usage. I did catch the water meter reader once and explained that I could never read it as it was never clear. He said sometimes they do mist up but if you leave the metal lid up for a bit it will clear.


I have tried this, sometimes for an hour or more at a time and never find that it clears.


Does anyone have any suggestions to help with clearing it so I can track my usage ?


Thank you


Ed

DKLS

Having moved from a metered property paying £30 a month, to a new un-metered one, which is £90 a month, I raised this with the supplying company and was told the price was based on rateable value and my options were either pay up or have a meter fitted.

I have gone with the I am going to get my monies worth option, and have ordered a full on garden sprinkler system and will use as much water as I possibly can. The garden is going to look fantastic.

Cardew

DKLS wrote: »

Having moved from a metered property paying £30 a month, to a new un-metered one, which is £90 a month, I raised this with the supplying company and was told the price was based on rateable value and my options were either pay up or have a meter fitted.

I have gone with the I am going to get my monies worth option, and have ordered a full on garden sprinkler system and will use as much water as I possibly can. The garden is going to look fantastic.

Strange post!


Why not get a meter?

familyman1_2

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice. My daughter recently finished University and 2 days before she moved out of her privately rented room in a house she shared with 4 others she received a water bill in her name for the entire property for £380. She phoned up to see why this had arrived addressed to her as she has never been the named person on a bill before. They told her it was because she had applied for a credit card and that triggered the bill after a credit check. Whilst we do not have a problem in her paying her share of the bill (which they thought was included in the rent) I am concerned that the water company can latch onto my daughter and hold her responsible for the entire bill. Does anyone have any experience of this happening ?

Cardew

familyman1 wrote: »

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice. My daughter recently finished University and 2 days before she moved out of her privately rented room in a house she shared with 4 others she received a water bill in her name for the entire property for £380. She phoned up to see why this had arrived addressed to her as she has never been the named person on a bill before. They told her it was because she had applied for a credit card and that triggered the bill after a credit check. Whilst we do not have a problem in her paying her share of the bill (which they thought was included in the rent) I am concerned that the water company can latch onto my daughter and hold her responsible for the entire bill. Does anyone have any experience of this happening ?

Presumably there have been no previous bills in another person's name?

This situation comes up frequently with all utility bills(gas/electricity/water) - particularly in student houses.

You need to look up 'jointly and severally liable'. Essentially it means that the water company can chase any of the occupants for the whole amount of the bill; if the account is not in one of the occupant's name. See:


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/5078077/A-debt-problem-shared-is-not-always-halved.html

Usually the water company will not get involved in a 'third person' dispute. They have no idea who is living in the house, let alone who is responsible for the water bill. It would appear your daughter has drawn the 'short straw'.

One way or another the matter needs sorting out as if the bill isn't paid it will be sent to a Debt Collection Agency(DCA). Having got your daughter's name they will chase her and it can affect her credit rating.


Personally I would get the bill paid and try to get the share off each of the other occupants. If they refuse, then take out a claim against each in the Small Claims Court.

familyman1_2

Many thanks for the link and thoughts. I will do a bit more research and get her to contact the other housemates. She is away on exercise with the Army so cannot get to a computer, which is why I am trying to help her out!

Cardew

familyman1 wrote: »

Many thanks for the link and thoughts. I will do a bit more research and get her to contact the other housemates. She is away on exercise with the Army so cannot get to a computer, which is why I am trying to help her out!

If she is to join the Army, it is particularly important that there is no 'black mark' on her credit record.


Was the house rented through a Letting Agency? If so, they should have made the position on water charges clear in the rental agreement .

Anja

What is a reasonable amount to be in credit by? Mine is £46 but they, Anglia Water, seem reluctant to refund as it has formed their calculation for the next year's d/d amount.

My account is always in credit so I think I am being reasonable asking for a refund. I also think they have set my d/d too high so they will be owing me money next year too.