help! united utitilties send a huge bill!

deafguy78

I just moved in my studio flat three years ago and assume that the water bill under tenancy agreement but its big mistake. I got a bill under previous tenant, they wanted me to pay it. So again they send another bill and I was so shocked this time that it might cost me £558!!! Even they threat me that they will sent bailiffs.
I don't know what I should do. I have send an email to the company and awaiting for a response within 10 days. I don't have an minicom ( I am profoundly deaf and not yet their customer)

I need a help!

withabix

Does your Tenancy Agreement say that the water bills are included?

If not, then you are liable for the bill.

They may accept a payment plan, but that will still be quite expensive as you will be paying the arrears and the current year as well.

Gothicfairy

Which water company is it ?

Do you have a meter ?

Are you getting benefits ?

Do you have other debts ? you don't need to tell me how much and to who etc it is just that there is a scheme called "trustfund" that can help towards gas/electric/ water bills and that might be worth a go depending on your situation.

If you could answer the above please I might be able to offer so advice.

deafguy78

Which water company is it? its in the subject above...

Of course, I have a meter and still on benefits but they sent a letter that I should pay it upfront! How I can afford that since I'm on low income? I am awaiting for their response but I'm still waiting for 5 days! I havnt got telephone cos I'm profoundly deaf and I use email or text, that's all.

macman

As advised, you will need to work out a realistic repayment plan with UU to clear the debt.

mazy_m

Hi there,

Re check your tenancy agreement unless it states in it that you're liable for water then it's your Landlords responsibility. I had a Lanlord a few years ago who suddenly decided he wanted to make me pay the water when the bill came through (he hadn't paid it since the day we moved in)I told him it doesn't state this in the tenancy agreement so that I wasn't going to pay it as it was his bill so he needed to sort it out. He then rang up said water company as put the bills in my name (without my consent). I dug out both my tenancy agreements from him and sent it to the water company who apologised and took my name off the bill. What does your tenancy agreement read in regards to utilities the section that talks about electricity, gas etc?

Maz

macman

I thought we'd already established that the OP's STA does not included water bills: 'I assumed it was under the tenancy agreement but a big mistake'?

Gothicfairy

mazy_m wrote: »

Hi there,

Re check your tenancy agreement unless it states in it that you're liable for water then it's your Landlords responsibility.

Maz

That I am afraid is not quite correct. Most water companies will hold the tenant legally responsible even if water is not actually written into the agreement.
So if i says tenant responsible for "gas & Electric etc " they will take that as meaning all bills.
The water company will not get involved in a 3rd party dispute and will bill the tenant and get them to chase the landlord if there is any issues.


Deafguy:
Sorry, didn't read the title properly.

OK so you need to apply for direct payments (that comes out of your benefit at the rate of about £3 per week ) it does not clear your debt but will help get things back on track for now.
Take a meter reading now and make sure your bill is correct.
Then apply to the trustfund : http://www.uutf.org.uk/Index.html

you can do all that online by either filling in the application form or sending an email.

That should get you started and moving along but please do ask if you need more help or don't understand anything.

mazy_m

Gothicfairy wrote: »

That I am afraid is not quite correct. Most water companies will hold the tenant legally responsible even if water is not actually written into the agreement.
So if i says tenant responsible for "gas & Electric etc " they will take that as meaning all bills.
The water company will not get involved in a 3rd party dispute and will bill the tenant and get them to chase the landlord if there is any issues.


Hey Gothicfairy

I guess I was just lucky then as they took my name off as soon as I sent in the tenancy agreement and wrote a letter apologising and saying they realised that I wasn't liable for it and that usually a phonecall from the LL saying who the tenant is is adequate.

I'm not complaining though as I didn't have to pay for nearly two years of water!

I hope it doesn't stree you out too much deafguy sometimes these things happen.

Gothicfairy

mazy_m wrote: »

Gothicfairy wrote: »

That I am afraid is not quite correct. Most water companies will hold the tenant legally responsible even if water is not actually written into the agreement.
So if i says tenant responsible for "gas & Electric etc " they will take that as meaning all bills.
The water company will not get involved in a 3rd party dispute and will bill the tenant and get them to chase the landlord if there is any issues.


Hey Gothicfairy

I guess I was just lucky then as they took my name off as soon as I sent in the tenancy agreement and wrote a letter apologising and saying they realised that I wasn't liable for it and that usually a phonecall from the LL saying who the tenant is is adequate.

I'm not complaining though as I didn't have to pay for nearly two years of water!

I hope it doesn't stree you out too much deafguy sometimes these things happen.

Mazy..to be fair you are right as well in as much as some water companies can not be bothered to fight over it or they "might" have had a problem with that landlord before ( I have known that to happen before now)
I am glad that you got it sorted out though

I should think deafguy will be able to get something from the trustfund as that is what it is there for..But if not then at least direct payments will keep the wolf from the door.

Cod3Break3r

Which water company is it ?

Do you have a meter ?

Are you getting benefits ?