Why is my water supply such a big issue ?

samsmoot

My logic is this:

Water companies can charge for their services.
Those charges will be identified in a charges scheme.
That scheme must be approved by OFWAT.
OFWAT's approval is not binding on me - if it was it would say so.
Therefore I can pay according to the scheme or not.
If I don't, it's the law of equity that applies.
It's not inequitable for me to pay only for what I use - unless legislation says otherwise - which it doesn't.

In other words, OFWAT's approval or not of any advance charges is irrelevant to the consumer.

Gothicfairy

samsmoot wrote: »

And that's where they've got you They have me no where as I don't pay water bills at all but that is due to how I live rather then some moral sense of outrage. - fear of losing in court takes over for most. I, however, take no crap from these people, and because they failed to follow up on their threatened court action against me over advance charges I believe they were bluffing. Just because they have not taken a CCJ out against you so far does not mean they will not in the future but that is your choice and I wish you well with it

I will happily shut up about this if it can be shown that a water company has made a successful claim for advance charges ONLY, after that claim was properly defended.

Ask each water company how many times they have issued a CCJ against RV charges and that will give you your answer, I believe you can gain such info now under the freedom of information act.
I have personally worked on at least half a dozen cased with legal charges applied to RV accounts but don't take my word for it, put in the request and take it from there.

Gothicfairy

samsmoot wrote: »

My logic is this:

Water companies can charge for their services.
Those charges will be identified in a charges scheme.
That scheme must be approved by OFWAT.
OFWAT's approval is not binding on me - if it was it would say so.
Therefore I can pay according to the scheme or not.
If I don't, it's the law of equity that applies.
It's not inequitable for me to pay only for what I use - unless legislation says otherwise - which it doesn't.

In other words, OFWAT's approval or not of any charges is irrelevant.

You are totally missing the point..Metered accounts are in arrears as are assessed but RV charges are legally applied in advance.
That is a fact and agreed by OFWAT and the government.

skellyele

We are not on a water meter , we have never been late with a payment before , the payment book clearly shows the payments of £ 22.38 for each month and has a payslip for each month which is all paid up to date of end of August 2012 . My question is simple why would they make us pay for the next 8 months when we have not used the next 8 months worth of water and why should we be made to pay in advance for the first ever late payment. Think as some one said before they are just trying to frighten us with a debt recovery company because there bigger than us , well they havent seen the size of me yet ! and i have decided that it is time for the small man to stand up to these so called big giants we dont let kids bully each other so why should these large companies be allowed to get away with it .

Gothicfairy

Because you are not on a water meter you have to pay in advance, that is what the RV charge is.
There is no "allowed to get away with it", it is the way these charges are applied like the council tax.
By all means stand up and pay for what you use in arrears......it's called getting a meter.

electrobix99

This sounds a bit extreme but could work if just one persons name is on the bill.

Tell them you are moving out at the end of the month, they will send a final bill for the water rates (which would probably be in credit since you only pay water over 10 months not 12 normally)

Open a new account in partners name and all the late payment flag should go away...

Water companies are a nightmare, Severn Trent made my life very difficult for a while in early 2000's by issuing CCJ's agaisnt me for a property I no longer lived in and proved to them I no longer lived in. The best thing was I had a copy of the final bill and a record of the payment being made, did not stop them doing it 2 seperate times.

samsmoot

Gothicfairy wrote: »

You are totally missing the point..Metered accounts are in arrears as are assessed but RV charges are legally applied in advance.
That is a fact and agreed by OFWAT and the government.

Oh well, that must be correct then...

Gothicfairy

It is correct and I am glad you finally see that.

All the rest are your issues and just because you say it is so doesn't mean OFWAT and the PRIVATE water companies agree with you.

samsmoot

Gothicfairy wrote: »

Ask each water company how many times they have issued a CCJ against RV charges and that will give you your answer, I believe you can gain such info now under the freedom of information act.
I have personally worked on at least half a dozen cased with legal charges applied to RV accounts but don't take my word for it, put in the request and take it from there.

Water companies issuing CCJs? Are you sure? I thought that was the court's job?

Gothicfairy

samsmoot wrote: »

Water companies issuing CCJs? Are you sure? I thought that was the court's job?

Oh for gods sake, now you are playing silly with terms,...OK the water company apply for a CCJ and the court issues one. Happy now ?
I am sure everyone knew what I meant