Water bill help needed

skazza_2

We moved into a rented house last October. A few months ago we received a water bill for £1500, which was way over the typical usage of £50 a month for our family. Having contacted Anglian H2O they came and said that the leak was somewhere on the rented property and therefore not their responsibility. Finally we tracked the lost water to a faulty ballcock in the fishpond. Looking further into the matter we discovered that the water company was already in dispute with the previous tenant over a high water bill, something both the water company, the letting agency and the landlord were all aware of but did not mention to us. I wrote to the water company and pointed out that it was unfair to commence a new contract with us in the knowledge that there was an ongoing problem, but received a form letter back saying we were still liable (no mention was made of the basis of my complaint).

So the question is - who is responsible for the water bill? Anglian water, the landlord or US???:eek:

Cardew

In my opinion the Landlord/letting agent.

If they refuse to sort it out with the water company, take them to the small claims court.

deanos

Yes i agree, its the landlords responsibility, definately nothing to do with the water company

Gothicfairy

The water company would not discuss other tenants usage as that is nothing to do with you as far as they are concern. The DPA would not allow them to talk about the financial details anyway so how would they let you know about the high bill ? Also until someone informed them how would they know there has been a change of occupier.
Also there will have been no contract as that has not happened for years. The water act say's that as they supply you and you use the water there is the contract.

The leak is again nothing to do with the water company. It is not their fish pond that is at fault.
I would say it is the owner of the property who should be dealing with this or the letting agent if they are the ones who are managing the property including the up keep.
However as the water account is in your name and you are living there you will be the ones the water company hold accountable.

I know that is not what you want to hear but really there is no basis of complaint to Anglian so you need to get onto your landlord and get the problem sorted