4 year unclaimed bill

Wadded

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice on the following issue:

Basically we (My wife and I) moved into a new build 4 years ago. We had a mix up handing the utilities over to the relevant suppliers. The Gas & Electric got sorted, but the water didn't through several attempts of my own to resolve.

To cut a long story short, we've just received the dreaded bill today (£1500). At this stage I haven't spoken to Severn Trent Water, as I am work. The immediate questions I have are a) I have no idea how they have reached this figure, probably based on a national average b) Will I be expected to pay the full amount.

Obviously I will question both items when I get home this evening and read the letter, etc. The main point is do I have any rights to argue the amount they are requesting, and do I have an option to pay by a monthly plan? £1500 is not something I have to hand at the moment!

This might seem very naive, but hopefully somebody will be in the know here and be able to offer some advice!

Edit: Sorry I forgot to add...It's a 4 bedroom house, with 4 toilets, Bathroom and En Suite. For 2.5 yrs the house was occupied by 2 adults, the remaining 1.5 by a baby now toddler!

TIA

Kevin

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

All house built in the last 20 years must have a meter, so they presumably have found the meter and read that to arrive at £1500? That sum seems entirely reasonable for 4 years.

The other alternative is they are charging you on an assessed charge.

They can chase you for up to 6 years.

The developer/builder or you should have contacted Severn Trent, they have no way of knowing if a property is occupied or even built! It is not as if there is any choice of water company.

The official position is that you owe the money now! However they will probably agree a payment plan if you start paying by Direct Debit.

Just a tip, they will very probably be charging you for surface water drainage; the probability is that you can claim relief from that charge - search for surface water drainage on here.

Gothicfairy

You need to check the bill..Is the meter reading right ?Is the meter serial number on the bill right?
If it is all correct then you owe the money and have to pay it but STW can give you a payment plan ( watercard, booklet or dd) or you can try and apply to the trustfund ( stw can supply the number to call)

deanos

Just because it was a newbuild don't assume the meter will be at zero when you moved in, very often they will use the supply to water the garden for example, did you take an opening reading or does the builder have a record of it.

Another thing to do it take a 2 readings 7 days apart and work out your consumption and see if there bill is in line with what you use.