haven't paid water for 4 years

crazyangel_2

My full time wage is so low take home 180.00 a week as a home carer. My rent 90.00 a week so there very little if not any money left after gas and electric and just 20.00 a week food bill.anyway I have not paid watet rates private rented for almost 4yrs.i get constant letters threatening court or attachment of earnings but as of now nothing has happened and I never answer door for fear of door step collections. What could happen to me ? I owe over 1k now.

sacha28

Only 1k for over 4 years water? Where do you live? I know that in Devon there is a scheme called watergate (seriously!) where they will wipe your debt over the course of a year if you agree to set up a DD and stick to it.

I have a CCJ from not paying water and it blights me, don't fall into the same trap (if you haven't already).

1trainer1

Do you get the letters addressed to you personally or to Ocuupier? only reason I am asking is if it for Occupier then they dont know who lives there even though you have been living there for years.

When I lived in my flat for three years I didnt pay the water bill as we were renting and we never registered with the water board

mart.vader

crazyangel wrote: »

My full time wage is so low take home 180.00 a week as a home carer. My rent 90.00 a week so there very little if not any money left after gas and electric and just 20.00 a week food bill.anyway I have not paid water rates private rented for almost 4yrs. i get constant letters threatening court or attachment of earnings but as of now nothing has happened and I never answer door for fear of door step collections. What could happen to me ? I owe over 1k now.

Perhaps your water bill is included with your rent? Look at your Tenancy Agreement to check.

If not, what water company is it ? Many water cos have a scheme like sacha28 said, a water charity for people who are having difficulty paying. If you are in receipt of certain benefits, they may clear the arrears for you.

macman

1trainer1 wrote: »

Do you get the letters addressed to you personally or to Ocuupier? only reason I am asking is if it for Occupier then they dont know who lives there even though you have been living there for years.

When I lived in my flat for three years I didnt pay the water bill as we were renting and we never registered with the water board

That doesn't remove you liability to pay though, unless water is included in your rent according to your STA.
There has been no water board since the 1980's.

savingjenny

have you looked to see if you are entitled to any benefits http://www.entitledto.com/calculator/ ?

samsmoot

crazyangel wrote: »

My full time wage is so low take home 180.00 a week as a home carer. My rent 90.00 a week so there very little if not any money left after gas and electric and just 20.00 a week food bill.anyway I have not paid watet rates private rented for almost 4yrs.i get constant letters threatening court or attachment of earnings but as of now nothing has happened and I never answer door for fear of door step collections. What could happen to me ? I owe over 1k now.

I once thought I owed over 2k in water charges but then found out that it wasn't even my responsibility. But whilst I thought I did owe the money I refused to pay anyway and discovered that South Staffs are useless in recovering debts, and so are their so-called debt collectors, so if your water company is anything like SS I wouldn't worry too much.


Why would you fear doorstep collections? I recently threatened violence to the debt collectors if they came onto my property - as I'd just withdrawn their implied right of access and had explained how if they set foot on it they would be trespassing and would be dealt with accordingly. Bearing in mind that this was after their solicitor failed to provide a legal basis for their threatened court claim I don't think it was wrong to give them some stick over their intended and unwarranted visit.


I'd leave it if I were you, but I'm a risk taker and a stroppy bleeder and don't mind appearing before a County Court judge if I have to.

~Chameleon~

sacha28 wrote: »

Only 1k for over 4 years water? Where do you live?

Maybe they're just a low user? My water bill is approx £150 a year so on that basis I'd only owe £600 after 4 years and I live in a 4 bed property.

To the OP, are you on a meter and have you checked you're on the correct tariff? You may not owe as much as you think.

crazyangel_2

Im with northumbria water. The first 3 years of bills were in my name then I went and registered in a fraudulent name then couldnt pay that and now the bills are to the occupier. Only got in this mess as they wanted 30 a month now they have no chance. As long as they can't disconnect me or chase my landlord for the money.

Cardew

crazyangel wrote: »

Im with northumbria water. The first 3 years of bills were in my name then I went and registered in a fraudulent name then couldnt pay that and now the bills are to the occupier. Only got in this mess as they wanted 30 a month now they have no chance. As long as they can't disconnect me or chase my landlord for the money.

Don't worry about it - the rest of the customers will have their charges increased a little to pay for your bill. - Even ones who cannot afford the internet.

samsmoot

crazyangel wrote: »

Im with northumbria water. The first 3 years of bills were in my name then I went and registered in a fraudulent name then couldnt pay that and now the bills are to the occupier. Only got in this mess as they wanted 30 a month now they have no chance. As long as they can't disconnect me or chase my landlord for the money.

You're in the clear if they are writing to 'the occupier'. Say nothing, do nothing. Good luck!