5 Year old Business Water Bill (Severn Trent)

Callum41

Hi there,

I have a small take away business and bought the shop about 5 years ago. I never received a water bill even though I contacted them when I first took over. All of a sudden I get a new meter put in and a nice big bill for £6,000.

They took a present reading and back dated THAT all the way back to day one. I wrote and spoke with them and explained that the business was pretty run down when I took over. I also told them how I've had new sinks installed so the current reading is way over the backdated estimate. they came back with a bill of just under £6,000.00.

Now, I was drafting a letter detailing the [FONT=&quot]The Code of Practice for Accurate Bills (the “Billing Code") and the fact that they cannot go back more than 12 months but that doesnt apply to business users right?

Is there anything that can help me in this situation? The repayment of £6k will bankrupt me. _pale__pale__pale_
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Cardew

The 12 month backbilling provision doesn't apply to water for anyone - let alone a business account I am afraid. For gas/electricity it applies for domestic accounts.

I assume they have charged you at 2004 rates, 2005 rates etc?

It really is just a debt like any other I am afraid. All you can do is see if you can get the bill reduced and ask for time to pay.

Callum41

Thanks mate. I've done exactly that yesterday. Spread for 12 months so hopefully I'm still afloat for that duration!