Excessive Water Charges increase from landlord

gowiththeflow_2

I moved into a new flat in July and was told tlat was on a water meter and I would receive regular quarterly bills. I tried to register with Southern Water and was told that I could not, that they billed the housing agent for the whole building, the agent then billed each flat individually. I received one bill for one month w andhen I was
on holiday for £41 and complained. I was then re-billed for £45 for 3 months and paid.

I have just received a letter from my landlord stating that from April my rent will be increased by £44 per month to now include water charges. This means a yearly bill of £529 for a 2 bed flat, with only my husband and I. We are out all day at work and away frequently, our last flat we only paid £180 a year.

Is there anything I can do about getting these charges reduced? Can my landlords do this? Any advice would be appreciated!

Cardew

How much of that £44 increase is for including water? Could some be an increase in rental?

Some blocks of flats do have a single meter for the building and the charges aportioned; but you should be able to have sight of the bill.

gowiththeflow_2

The whole of the £44 is water charges. The landlord has said that the building is billed as a whole and they have divided it up depending on the number of bedrooms in your flat. £529 p/year for water seems totally extreme don't you think for a two people in a two bed flat in Kent?

Cardew

High, but not 'extreme'.

Your rental contract should specify how the water charges should be apportioned. However, as the building is metered, they won't know the total annual charge until the end of the billing period; so if they are charging you in advance, then it must only be an estimate.

deanos

IIRC a landlord is not allowed to make excessive profit on water only a service charge, ask to see the bill or previous bill

gowiththeflow_2

Does this mean I can ask to see a bill at the end of 12 months a
nd ask for a rebate?