Is this rise normal new water bill?

roxy28

Dad is a pensioner in a 3 bed council house,he used to pay £25 a month for his water bill.just got his new bill and it shows new payment will be £38 a month. A 50% increase seems steep? He is with United Utilities.

Cardew

The reason almost certainly will be that he will finish up this year(2010/2011) with a debit balance and so will pay it off over the next year as well a slightly increased bill for 2011/12.

Gothicfairy

The payment plan amount has nothing really to do with the billing amount, Does he have arrears ?Is he on a meter ?

roxy28

He is not on a meter and was in credit for the year by £24.50

Cardew

roxy28 wrote: »

He is not on a meter and was in credit for the year by £24.50

If he is not on a meter, how is he in credit? Normally the exact annual charge is known in advance(as it is based on Rateable value) and the payments are based on this amount.

For 2011/12 United Utilities prices have risen on average 4.51%

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/consumerissues/chargesbills/prs_inf_nwt_charges2011-12.pdf

So something else must have changed. Would he have been getting any form of subsidy?

Gothicfairy

I don't get it, UU have not risen their bills by that much as Cardew say's something else must have changed
I also can't see why he would be in credit..The payment plan is the bill split into 8 or 10 lots

roxy28

Well he does not no why he is in credit but i have looked at his statement and he is?all payments are up to date nothing owing. He pays his monthly bill with his card at a payzone shop and gets a reciet and he pays the exact amount always,which is why the in credit is strange. I will have to get on to them for him,but going back to the question it seems a big increase for him when he pays his next bill over 10 lots. No form of subsidy at all. Looking at Cardew link above i am right that the average change is £17 a year.

bluewire

If you are calling for him you need to make sure that you are with him or they wont talk to you.

bluewire

Forgot to say.

Are you sure that he wasnt in credit at the start of last year? That would mean that he was paying a lower value this year and then back up next.

If he has last years statement it may clear this up for you.

Gothicfairy

roxy28 wrote: »

Well he does not no why he is in credit but i have looked at his statement and he is?all payments are up to date nothing owing. He pays his monthly bill with his card at a payzone shop and gets a reciet and he pays the exact amount always,which is why the in credit is strange. I will have to get on to them for him,but going back to the question it seems a big increase for him when he pays his next bill over 10 lots. No form of subsidy at all. Looking at Cardew link above i am right that the average change is £17 a year.

'



That is why we are saying something does not add up..

Call UU with your father there to give permission and ask them why the plan has increased.
I still say though that a plan is not the bill..What is this years bill against last years ?

roxy28

Ok been on to them this morning and bluewire was right,he had been in credit from last year by more than £100 pounds which brought his payments down.He is not sure why he overpaid but we will keep a eye on it now,as DD is a swear word for him. Thanks Gothicfairy,Cardew,Bluewire for the input.