Water issue and ex landlord

affluenza

Hi

Not posted since my BR as things are drifting along until now...

I moved out of my flat about a week after my BR back in August 2011, advised my landlord and posted the keys through the Estate Agent's door. Heard nothing more.

Advised utilities that I had gone BR and moved out, and set up a redirection on my post.

I received bills for Water (old property) but stupidly ignored them as I thought they worked the same way as council tax i.e. paid in advance and so covered by BR, and then a claim for water against the old property (sent to OR), but I contacted the water company to tell them that I was BR and that I had moved out on 31st August.

I now receive a letter stating that I am in fact lying as they've spoken to my landlord and I am apparently still his tenant and therefore owe water charges on the property.

Any ideas on how to handle this? Pass to OR?

Thanks in advance.

Gothicfairy

With water you are responsible from the date of BR forward so if you were not living there then just supply a copy of your new tenancy agreement or something to prove the date you moved out and it should be job done.
If however there was a different in dates ie your BR was first of the month and you moved out the last of the month they you do indeed owe for that short period.

affluenza

Thank you for clarifying that.

Do you think that they would accept a letter from my partner confirming that I have moved in with him? My name is not on the deeds or household bills but it may show on council tax records.

Having a brain fog day...

Thanks

Gothicfairy

Ermm I would say no but it is always worth trying, maybe send a bill (mobile, bank statement ) in your name as well........anything to support what you are saying really and write a proper letter explaining it all and you might be lucky.

alastairq

hi....are you on the Electoral Roll [yet]??

debtinfo

not necessarily helpfull in this case but fur full info

the general default position for water companies is that the whole charge for the year is charged at the start and so the whole years debt is included in the bankruptcy so there is nothing more to pay until the start of the the next years payment.

but

if the water company in their own charges scheme makes a provision for insolvency spliting the charge pre and post bankruptcy then that is what will happen instead and the bankrupt will be responsible for the water charge from the bankruptcy date onwards.

Many people used to essentially get free water because of this, needless to say most of the water companies do now include an insolvency provision but worth a check, who knows?