I screwed up & now panicking.

Dr_Pepper_3

Hi, I live in Essex and have been living at my house for 3 years. When I moved in there was a demand from Anglian water, with whom I registered and pay the bill monthly (£34.94 per month).

So yesterday I received a threatening letter addressed to "the occupier" from Essex & Suffolk water telling me that they have no record of anyone registered at the house and due to "no reply to their previous correspondence" - a lie because I have literally never ever heard from them before -they're going to cut me off

Because I am pretty simple I had assumed that the Anglian water bill covered the supply and the sewage, and their bills are so confusing that I had to phone them up to confirm that in fact I'm paying for sewage only. It never occurred to me before, especially as the Anglian Water website talks about water supply - I'd even looked into switching to a meter on their website not so long back. It turns out that they do water supply for some areas but not mine.

So, I think I've ballsed this up and it looks like I've NEVER paid for water supply! But surely not totally my fault, as they've never asked me to! I don't mind paying my bill, but two things worry me now. One is that the Essex & Suffolk water website is a joke and won't tell you how much the bill might be (how do you find out your rateable value?). The second is that if I fill in their form and tell them I moved in 3 years ago they might charge me the whole retroactive amount!?

I'd be really grateful for any help before i call them. Many thanks.

cattie

I can't help, but just want to say £34.95 month seems a lot for just sewage! Is it a large house you live in?

Dr_Pepper_3

thanks, no it's just a 2 bedroom bungalow. The price of it was part of what made me assume it covered both....

Cardew

Your Rateable Value should be on both your water and Sewerage bills. e.g RV = £242

http://www.anglianwater.co.uk/household/your-account/tariffs/standard-rates/

You can also tell by the structure of the charges on your sewerage bill.

It will say on the bill zzz X 20.28p = £yyy. The zzz figure will be your RV.

Essex and Southern water charges depend on what county you live in; see:

http://www.eswater.co.uk/your-home/your-account/tariffs-and-charges.aspx

If you live in Essex for water you pay a standing charge of £60.30 plus 88.84p for each £ of rateable value(the same as the zzz figure as on your sewerage bill)

Dr_Pepper_3

Thanks, that's really helpful. Looks like my RV is 182, not sure whether that's good or bad.

So, that answers my first question, but I'm still hoping someone can tell me - if I fess up and tell them the situation are they going to try and hit me with a bill for 3 years worth of water??!

Thanks again!

macman

Yes, they can back bill up to 6 years.
But that doesn't necessarily mean that they will.

Cardew

Depending which county you live in, it looks like you will owe between £600 and £700 for 3 years.

They might set up a direct debit for you to pay back the arrears + present charges over a couple of years.

You would do well to consider getting a meter.

samsmoot

Dr_Pepper wrote: »

I'd be really grateful for any help before i call them. Many thanks.

Don't do that, I say. Do nothing.

They don't and usually can't disconnect you. If they visit, say 'he's not here' (the occupier, that is - whose name you are not at liberty to divulge), then close the door.

Many would disagree with this tactic, but it is an option. What's the worst that can happen, would be the obvious question - the answer, I submit, being added charges for reconnection following this unlikely eventuality.

robin58

If you had the benefit of the service you should pay.

You could I suppose plead ignorance like samsmoot says but that to my mind will just delay the inevitable and in the end pile on costs when they really come after you for the money. Ps Don't forget in this electronic world it would not be too hard to find out who does live at your address.

Also depending on how many live at your home plus what water consuming devices you have,do look into a meter.

I pay just about £80ish all in each year on a meter. instead of about £600+ on RV.

Look at Essex and Suffolk website there is somewhere a guide to help you work out what it would cost with or without a meter

macman

There are plenty of other options available to creditors other than disconnection (which is not used for domestic properties). Trashing your credit record for 6 years, attachment of earnings order?
You accept that the debt is valid, so why not make arrangements to pay it over an extended period?

samsmoot

macman wrote: »

There are plenty of other options available to creditors other than disconnection (which is not used for domestic properties). Trashing your credit record for 6 years, attachment of earnings order?

Which would require a fair amount of procedure first - such as a successful court claim, which is miles away.