Southern Water - Unmetered Bill Rises by 25%

Vauban

I've just had our annual 2013/14 water bill from Southern Water. We don't have a meter, and have lived in the same house for years.

Last year I paid about £400. This year Southern Water are billing me for £500. That's a 25% increase!!

This must surely be a mistake? Their website says unmetered bills are going up about 5% this year.

macman

Check what RV your bill has been calculated on. If it's different to last year, then that error that could be the cause of the increase. Impossible to comment further without a breakdown of the bill.
RV charges are here:
http://www.southernwater.co.uk/at-home/your-bill-and-account/about-your-bill/our-charges/
Have you considered that you may well be better off with a meter though? And that if not, you can revert to RV billing within the first 12 months anyway?

Cardew

Charging for Surface water drainage this year?

installed a swimming pool?

Owe from last year?

More details required.

bluewire

I am putting my money on user error (poster not water co)

Horsesforcourses

On 13 February 2013 I've received my metered statement March 12 - September 12, showing I'm in credit by £334.16
I pay their calculated amount each month via DD

I called Southern Water today to be advised that the meter they installed in 2011 isn't working, so I'll be sending a pay on demand bill once an engineer attends to fix the meter.

They plan to bill me from 2011 until present.

What is my legal standing.

I've withdraw the credit which they attempt to dispute, though the cheque will take up to 14 days to arrive

macman

Your 'legal standing' is that you have to pay for the water used, which will be estimated during the time the meter was not working, or from the last verified read. If the meter was working at some point after install and was read, then they should have some figures to go by.
You presumably have not been verifying your bills against actual meter readings then?

Cardew

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4466223