Usage for single person (low level)

Alloneword

I have been told by my water supplier (Thames) that they are going to estimate my bills and they say that will be for a single person on there own, I did explain that one person can use a different amount of water and i explained i don't have baths only showers and i don't have a dishwasher or washing machine so they said they would use single person "lower" level, is there anyway i can find out what these figures are as to be honest i don't trust them.

It's a long story as to why i need this information but i won't explain now unless it's needed.

All1

Own_My_Own

Found this old thread. I may answer some of your questions.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1991691

Cardew

The average annual consumption in UK is 55 to 60 cubic metres per person.

For the average single person their consumption is a little higher as the usage of water for cooking, clothes/dish washing etc is not shared.

It would help if we knew what your dispute with Thames was about. Is it to estimate monthly charges for a meter?? or an assessed rate if you cannot have a meter fitted?

Alloneword

Thanks for the link On My Own i'll have a read of it this afternoon.

Cardew, it's a bit long winded but here goes I moved into a place some 20 years ago, had water meter fitted when i moved in, and paid bills on prepayment card almost from day one, now about a year ago I got a letter from TW saying they had been taking reading from my meter for all this time however there was a small issue and that issue was they have been reading the wrong meter since day one. :eek:

Anyway they came back it's ok not to worry i don't owe them anything but when you bear in mind some people in this block of flats have 3 kids and 2 adults in a one bed flat (yea i know) and they have a washing machine and NO shower and take 6 baths a day, ok kids baths only take a little water i know but it's way more then i would take there is a chance i could have been paying for there water, TW say that has not happened but how the hell can i trust them?

As i said they will now work out my bills going back to 1995 (that's as far back as they have records for me) I'm just trying to work out what the repayment might be on there side if my maths are right then it could be some serious cash, I mean 1995 till say 2011 is 16 years x52 weeks = 832 weeks and if they over charged me just £2 a week it's over £1,500 but i can't seem them paying that out but all i do know is i'm very pis*ed at them as many times they have hassled me for money hence prepayment card and the hassle and grief they have caused me could have all been for nothing.

All1

Cardew

Legally you can only claim back 6 years, although if you can prove your case they will probably make a goodwill payment.

It is also pertinent to note that it is usually not the fault of the water company when there is a mix up like this - which often happens in flats. They are told by the developer, or whoever fits the meters, which meter belongs to which flat.

Also Thames Water have not made any extra money from this mix-up. Assuming you have been overcharged, the other flat will have been undercharged the same amount.

You need to get details of how much water(in cubic metres) you have been billed for over the years and compare that with an annual consumption of say 50 cubic metres a year.

Or.

Get Thames to state how much you have actually used as they will know how much they have charged the other flat in the mix-up! i.e. the readings from your meter will have been charged to the other flat.

Bear in mind that the standing charges for water and sewerage will be the same regardless of them using the wrong meter. Also the charges for water/sewerage were a lot less years ago.

Another solution is for you to request that you be back billed using the single person assessed charge. This charge is made for those who have requested a meter and one cannot be fitted. It is supposedly the average charge for a single person on a meter.

You need to come up with a figure you believe is fair compensation. If you cannot agree you can ask the Consumer Council for Water to intervene.


I suggest you don't be too confrontational(initially) otherwise they can fall back on the 6 year legal stipulation and argue they were not at fault.

Alloneword

I know about the 6 year rule but they have stated they will pay back any over payment that i may have made, I'm waiting on them coming back to me sometime in the next 14 days but to be honest i just want what is mine (there is nothing wrong with that IMO) plus an offer compensation for all the hassle this has caused me, as i said in first post I'm on payment card because i find it hard to meet there payments and if all this time they had got it wrong then it's unforgivable IMO.

All1

Cardew

Alloneword wrote: »

I know about the 6 year rule but they have stated they will pay back any over payment that i may have made, I'm waiting on them coming back to me sometime in the next 14 days but to be honest i just want what is mine (there is nothing wrong with that IMO) plus an offer compensation for all the hassle this has caused me, as i said in first post I'm on payment card because i find it hard to meet there payments and if all this time they had got it wrong then it's unforgivable IMO.

All1

Agreed they should give you back any over-payment - and it is good news that they won't invoke the 6 year rule.

However to use terms like 'unforgiveable' is IMO wide of the mark. Once the mistake has been made, usually by the developer or builder, there is no way the water company can know there has been a mix-up.