United Utilities: We never signed a contract with them so are we liable to pay?

Gothicfairy

samsmoot wrote: »

Legally enforceable? What does that even mean? Each claim will stand or fall on its own merits - they wouldn't even take me to court for advamce charges only - have they ever done so and won when such a claim was properly defended? I doubt it but prove me wrong if you can.

I don't have to prove anything as I am not the one having the issue with it all.
RV charges are advance charges and as such become due the first of April in every year and are payable for the whole year period with a refund being offered if a change of occupier should happen during that time scale.
A payment plan is offered to help recover the costs but is not a right and the offer can be removed by the water company at any time with the whole RV charge becoming due.

As I have said more then once, just because they haven't taken you to court yet does not mean they will not do so further down the line

samsmoot

Gothicfairy wrote: »

I don't have to prove anything as I am not the one having the issue with it all.
RV charges are advance charges and as such become due the first of April in every year and are payable for the whole year period with a refund being offered if a change of occupier should happen during that time scale.
A payment plan is offered to help recover the costs but is not a right and the offer can be removed by the water company at any time with the whole RV charge becoming due.

Where does it say that then? Which law applies , exactly?

Gothicfairy

Say what ? The RV charges are billed in advance and are payable in advance.
Email OFWAT and ask them yourself, there is a lot of information they can send you with regards to the legal position of advance billing for water charges.

Also there is no legal requirement to running water and sewerage removal but if you use / have those services you are legally required to pay for it as they are supplied by a private company and as such are the same as using petrol for your car and not paying for it.

samsmoot

I think there is a legal requirement for a supply of water and the removal of sewage in the sense that you cannot be disconnected for non-payment.

Your point about not paying for your petrol isn't a good analogy at all because you can freely and without penalty use as much water as you like - and you don't even have to declare it, never mind pay for it. No offence is committed.

Gothicfairy

I am not sure where you get the idea that you can use something that is provided by a private company for free without being charged or held responsible.
There is no legal requirement for supply of services so your terminology is incorrect and we all know how you like to get the phrases right.. Technically a domestic property can be disconnected, it is just that it is not done now, Same as pre pay meters are no longer used for water.

I am not going to argue with you any more though as I just don't agree with your view and think that to take something without paying for it is theft pure and simple and people like you make it harder for others who want to pay their bills but struggle.

samsmoot

Gothicfairy wrote: »

I am not sure where you get the idea that you can use something that is provided by a private company for free without being charged or held responsible.

I can see that I didn't make myself sufficiently clear in my last post - what I meant to say was that there is no obligation on an occupier to declare that they are using a water supply. In other words, you can move into a property, use the water, and say nothing. This is very lawful indeed. You cannot be charged for water because the water company doesn't know who you are, and you have no obligation to tell them. Any letter to 'the occupier' carries no legal weight, as 'occupiers' cannot be sued.

jimjames

samsmoot wrote: »

Water companies, in the main, are required by law to supply you with water and take away the sewage.

You are not required by law to pay anything towards those services.

I think you will find you are very much mistaken. Just because you cannot be cut off doesn't mean you are not required to pay for the service.

If you want free water then collect it from the sky. If you want it treated and conveniently supplied down the pipes like everyone else then you have to pay for it.