Thames Water - sent a re-estimated bill 9 months after account closed - should I pay?

monkey_writer

Hello!

In August 2012 I moved out of a rented flat as it had a leak under the floor and the whole place needed renovating.

Before they found the leak, Thames Water came and searched to see if it was in the pipes outside (their responsibility) and it was not.

When we moved out Thames Water sent a closing bill with a meter reading which said it was final and that paying it closes and clears the account.

Then 9 months later I got a new bill with a new higher meter reading. I ignored it, but then got a letter threatening to take me to court or give it to a debt collection agency (it's £43). So I called TW...

They said that both readings were estimated. Whomever took responsibility for the flat once we moved out (either the landlord or the insurance company) asked for TW to re-estimate our final reading as it was based on normal use, rather than use with a leak - as they say we did not inform them that we had a leak before they did the estimated reading.

And TW agreed to do this and to charge us for any difference in estimates due to the leak.

Everyone was informed as soon as we noticed there was a leak - the landlord, the people who run the building, the landlord's insurance company, and Thames Water (though perhaps a different department from the billing dept).

I feel I should not have to pay -

a) our account was closed and we paid our final bill.
b) the leak was not our responsibility.
c) we were a shared house and have all gone our separate ways now, though the account was in my name.

Does anyone have any advice on how I should deal with this situation?

Thanks!

macman

But did you not provide a closing reading on the day you moved out? That would be normal procedure.
The fact that the account was closed does not mean that they cannot rebill you for up to the next 6 years. If the error had been in your favour, would you have the same reaction?
You are responsible as occupier for the usage: any dispute between you and the LL over liability for the leak is a third party dispute. and no concern of TW.

monkey_writer

I did give them a meter reading, I remember doing the reading and they will have asked for it when I closed the account - but they say they don't have it on file.

I assumed the original meter reading was the reading I had given them on the day I moved out. It says '1090 final reading'. But when I called them they told me this was an estimated reading - I don't know why they would use an estimated reading.

And I also don't know why they would just agree to someone's demands to change the estimated reading 9 months later to make it higher, and then send me a new higher bill.

Anyone moving into a property could just call up TW and say - oh there's been a leak can you charge the previous people some of our bill?

monkey_writer

Is there a standard procedure for disputing a bill with the water companies?

Or can they just charge us whatever they like whenever they like and we just have to pay?

macman

Follow your provider's complaints procedure.

samsmoot

monkey_writer wrote: »

Is there a standard procedure for disputing a bill with the water companies?

Yeah - tell 'em you ain't paying. Then defend it in court if they do that - but they probably won't, as you seem to have at least some grounds for disputing the debt. Just make sure you answer every letter - ask for more details regarding the legal basis of the claim; seek clarification on the dates; ask for evidence that it's you that owes them, and not someone else; make it clear that because you owe nothing you are fully prepared to defend the claim; quote the CPR which says things should be tried to get sorted without court involvement; say you want to avoid court - you want to settle it amicably - and don't forget about requesting the arbitration option instead of a hearing if they make the claim. Basically keep it in dispute but always answer intelligently with a view to how it would look to a court.

monkey_writer wrote: »

Or can they just charge us whatever they like whenever they like and we just have to pay?

Depends if they scare you or not.

monkey_writer

Many thanks Samsmoot, I've written to their Customer Services Director to dispute it. Fingers crossed!

monkey_writer

Thanks for your help everyone - I wrote to the Customer Services Director who cancelled it for me. :dance:

So all turned out well. What a hassle though!