£900 water bill advice please!

CarolJ_4

Hello all,

This is my first post though I'm a massive fan of the site!

My boyfriend has just received a bill from Thames Water for £900 - his first bill since 2002 - he does not have the savings to pay this and I would be grateful for any advice.

He registered with Thames Water when he moved into his housing association flat about 7 years ago. Shortly after that, bills stopped arriving - with the last one labelled "final bill". He didn't question this and wondered if it was because the housing association was supposed to pay the water bills. Now turns out on checking the tenancy that water was his responsibility.

This week he has received a bill for £900 - the first since 2002. He called Thames Water and they admitted they have not sent bills in his name since 2002 because they thought he had moved out.

Can he really be liable for this total if he has not received any bill in 5 years?

Thanks very much
Carol

BubbaUk_2

Unfortunately yes as he lived at the address and benefited from the supply, he never contacted Thames to enquire about his missing bills?. I suggest the following (being an ex-Thames Manager):-

Write to the customer services manager by name (not sure who it is now), explain the situation clearly and advise that you never advised to cease the bill. I would make an offer to pay half the bill, therefore both assuming a degree of liability for the oversight. Then suggest a realistic payment plan for the outstanding balance.

Without some form of commitment from you, they are unlikely to reduce it, he knew he wasn't being billed and benefited from the water and waste water services. The law allows them 6 years to charge for, so it would seem they have not charged further than this.

CarolJ_4

Thanks very much for your help! I really appreciate it. All makes good sense and will do as you suggest.

alan99_2

The Energy Ombudsman has said that if no bill they can only backdate charges to 2 years, 1 year from July.
But not sure if this applies to water. Might be worth checking with CAB etc.

Alan