Can council decide not to collect water charges anymore?

Spark

I have been a council tenant for 15 years. I have always paid my water and sewerage charges with my rent.
This week I had a letter stating that they agreed to stop collecting the water charges as it is too expensive to collect, and that they will stop collecting it in april 2008 at the latest. so I will have to make arrangements myself with the water company.
Can I do anything to carry on paying my water rates in my rent or is it final and I will have to plan for one more bill?
Thank you.

real1314

Think you'll just have to pay the water bill seperately.

Strangely Oldham council brought water rates BACK into rents for their properties a few years back.
Their reasoning was that it was more likely to be paid and avoided a public health risk iirc.

You could always ask for a credit card style payment card from the water provider and pay it through that?

Spark

Don't get me wrong, I won't have any difficulty in paying the bill (as long as I don't lose my job) but I did prefer paying my water charges with the rent, that was one bill in less to worry about.
It will be harder on the ones on benefit and on low wages, they will most likely be the ones who will have the most difficulties in paying their water charges, so much for changing to an Almo, now they are out to "save" money and get part of it in their pocket, they have started adding a few extra charges too, that on top of the usual annual 5% rise on the rent, of course.
I suppose it is legal and they've got the right to do away with collecting water charges.
I don't see how it can be so expensive to collect it with the rent.
Next they won't bother repairing leaks, not their problem.

epz_2

well plenty of councils arent bothering to collect rubish under the "recycling" banner as though its not a way to skimp on a service{1} so they can employ more monkeys at their offices.


!!1} you want to reduce rubbish then simple, tax packaging and you might be able to buy some food without 8 different wrappers.