Sticky water bill situation

garyh81

I have just moved out of a flat which I have been renting for the past 3 years.
I'm currently trying to get my deposit back but had a bit of a shock when my landlord asked me for final bills for gas, electric and water. The shock being that i've never paid water bills.
Having checked my contract I am liable for water bills but when I moved in I never received anything to confirm my residence from United Utilities. My landlord has since sent me a copy of the letter they sent to United Utilities in 2007 to confirm my residence but in 3 years I have not received one single letter back from United Utilities! I rather stupidly just assumed my water was being paid for by the landlord and didnt read the small print of my contract.
I am now caught in a bit of a quandry as I have moved out of the flat. United Utilities clearly have no record of my existance yet I don't want them chasing me up for a wopping great bill further down the line. I am also aware that my credit rating could be affected if I don't get in touch. My landlord has advised me to give them a call to see whats happened but wondered if anyone else has been in a similar position at all and what you did?
Cheers,

Psykicpup

I havent been in the same situ but I reckon if you explain what happened (esp as you have proof) UU will let you repay in instalments - only worry is if there was a meter cos there would have been no final reading for you!
Did you not get any letters addressed to The Occupier ?

BekahC

A lot of water companies now are not sending letters or bills in the name of the "the occupier" or "new occupier" to save money - well by that i mean if its not being billed, its not classed as lost revenue if its not paid.

if they recieve details they can bill back up to 6 years of water so if they find out soon someone was there they may trace that so you may still get hit with this bill - sounds like L.Lord may contact them!

On an account thats closed instalments are normally more reasonable for simple reason that debt is not growning. Def worth biting the bullet and getting it sorted now