water bill query?!

puffy786

I moved into a property in December 2009, and set up an account with southern water.
In September 2011 I had a letter from Thames Water saying that they provide my wastewater services and I will be receiving a bill shortly, to cover from December 09 to September 11 and they are sorry for any inconveniences this mY cause!
That bill arrived the next day...£241.29!
I immediately called both water companies and they said the bill would have to be paid
I have been paying in installments, along with the usual monthly water payments...but am now wondering if they have the right to send me a bill 21 months after I moved in.
Southern water didn't advise me when I set up the account, when I koved that they only provide me with clean wTer and that is have to go yo Thames water for wastewater services.
Help pls...I really can not afford to pay if I don't have to!!

HappyMJ

puffy786 wrote: »

I moved into a property in December 2009, and set up an account with southern water.
In September 2011 I had a letter from Thames Water saying that they provide my wastewater services and I will be receiving a bill shortly, to cover from December 09 to September 11 and they are sorry for any inconveniences this mY cause!
That bill arrived the next day...£241.29!
I immediately called both water companies and they said the bill would have to be paid
I have been paying in installments, along with the usual monthly water payments...but am now wondering if they have the right to send me a bill 21 months after I moved in.
Southern water didn't advise me when I set up the account, when I koved that they only provide me with clean wTer and that is have to go yo Thames water for wastewater services.
Help pls...I really can not afford to pay if I don't have to!!

You can ask to spread the cost over the period of time that the bill accrued so you can ask to pay double payments over the next 21 months to cover the arrears and current usage.

You didn't set up an account at the time. I know you didn't know you should have had to but it's one of those things that you are expected to know and it's not the water suppliers fault. The electricity provider won't tell you to set up a gas account if the gas is with another company and it's the same with wastewater.

Cardew

They can go back six years in your case.

If the old occupants notified them that they were leaving, they have no way of knowing you had moved in - unless you tell them.

Your letting agent/solicitor should have told you who provided sewerage services.