Water debt?

Petlamb

Hey folks

We've just (today) received a final demand for just short of £400 in water bills... we only moved here in August, though I think some may have been carried from the old property.

The problem is, right now there's no money. They say we have 10 days till they add £60-odd more and apply for a CCJ. :eek:

I have called them just before and they have said as we're on (joint) income based JSA we can have a set up where they take £8/9 a week from benefits before we get them. Now while not ideal as things are already unbelievably tight, if it prevents a CCJ that's preferential.

The reason I come here to post however is that we're getting advice from CAB soon (was meant to be today, but as I'm both loaded with cold and didn't have the bus fare, I couldn't go.. sigh) will they have a solution that's better in the short term? It just seems like a lot vs the token amount offers going elsewhere.

Of course, we're both putting in for a huge variety of jobs (in fact the OH is currently out on a course that commonly leads to a job - apparently) so fingers crossed this should be temporary - once we have jobs we can throw money at the debts like crazy as we have a flat with low rent cost...

So, are we best just saying yes to the direct-from-benefit payment or should we speak to CAB first?

Thanks guys x

Gothicfairy

You could try applying to their trust fund to see if they can help clear some of the debt.

Miss_Honest76

Hi,

I personally in your situation would get them to apply for the amount from your JSA & also see if your water provider has a trust fund or schemes that could help you x

samsmoot

Good advice from the above posts.

One thing not picked up on is where your water company says it will apply for a CCJ. CCJs can only come after a claim, which hasn't even been issued yet, so that's just one big lie - no CCJ will be issued if a claim is successfully defended.

I would seek help from their water charity as mentioned above. Collection should be put on hold whilst you application is been considered. Whatever the outcome, if it leaves any to pay, I would offer 50p or £1 per week to clear the debt plus current usage divided over 52 weeks.

But pay nothing until a decision is made.

Gothicfairy

Collection is not normally put on hold during the application process as it is not a right etc, it is a charity and they can turn down the request or review it at any point and as it is nothing to do with the water company they just carry on collection as normal.

You can though offer a payment scheme through benefits and they then only take about 3 quid a fortnight.