Previous water company harassing me?

cryption

I purchased a property around 6 months ago. The previous owner agreed to complete all outstanding bills prior and on the completion date. He also said he would let all the utility companies know and cancel them which he seemed to have done.

I went ahead and set up my own utlities with different companies. Then a few months later I received a letter from the previous tennants water company (southern water) saying they believe the property may have been recently vacated and that they do not have an account set up for the address. They asked for my name and move in date and contact details.
I didnt want to give any of my information out to a company I was not with so I ignored the letter and did not hear any more from them.

Now it is about 2 months later and I've arrived home from work to see that somebody from southern water has left a calling card saying they visited but nobody was in, Theyve left a phone number to call and asked for my move in date and contact details. I know that 2 letters isnt a massive deal but Im starting to feel slightly harassed by this company...turning up unnanounced at somebodys home..doesnt that seem a bit rude? I'm not with their company and I have no intention of switching to them.

They have not sent me any bills or asked for any money, just asking for my personal contact details and move in date. I don't see how this is relavent to them since I'm not with them. They are obviously aware the property has changed hands. Does anybody know what reason they may be contacting me? I don't really want to communcicate with them or tell them any of my private information in case they try to 'set up an account' (as they have implied they are wanting to) and charge me money. Am I under any sort of obligation to disclose this to them? Are they just assuming I have no water supplier and trying to get my custom? Seems a bit extreme to visit the property just for that.

cajef

You cannot choose you own water supplier if Southern Water supply your area that is who you are with and they need to know the details of the new occupier.

The previous owner may have informed the utility companies they are moving out but they should have informed you who they were as the previous utility companies will be supplying your gas and electricity, you cannot change supplier until you have taken over the existing supplier and given them all the readings from your moving in day.

Cardew

As stated above, you are with that water company and always will be when you live in that house.

I hope you noted your gas/electricity meter readings when you moved in, because you will have to pay the previous owner's Utility company for the gas/electricity you have used until such time as your chosen company takes over the account.

Have the new company billed you yet?

LE3

so, who do you think your water is with?
You can't pick & choose who supplies your water like your electricity ....

Cardew

Incidentally, which water company did you switch to?

What did they say when you contacted them, and have they sent you a bill?

macman

With gas and electricity, the supplies aren't 'cancelled'. The outgoing occupant gives final readings on their last day and is billed accordingly. Their account is closed. The supplies remain 'live' and you are in a deemed account with the same suppliers from the day you move in and use the supplies. You cannot switch to another supplier until you first register for an account with them-any attempt to switch will be rejected, as you've nothing to switch from.
So at some point you'll be billed by them for 6 months usage on Standard tariff-the default.
SW are not 'harassing' you-they're trying to collect the debt you now owe.

samsmoot

cryption wrote: »

I don't really want to communcicate with them or tell them any of my private information...Am I under any sort of obligation to disclose this to them?

No, there is no obligation to tell them anything. There may be consequences for not doing so, but then again there may be none. You certainly won't be committing an offence if you stay silent, and if anyone from the water company comes to your door you can just tell them to get lost.


I tell you this because it is true, and because nobody else on here will. And before you all (especially you, Cardew) get on your high horses again, please note that this post contains no advice whatsoever and is merely a statement of the facts.

Cardew

samsmoot wrote: »

No, there is no obligation to tell them anything. There may be consequences for not doing so, but then again there may be none. You certainly won't be committing an offence if you stay silent, and if anyone from the water company comes to your door you can just tell them to get lost.


I tell you this because it is true, and because nobody else on here will. And before you all (especially you, Cardew) get on your high horses again, please note that this post contains no advice whatsoever and is merely a statement of the facts.

You really are getting boring!

samsmoot

Cardew wrote: »

You really are getting boring!

Pertinent information is what I aimed to provide. Sorry it's not exciting enough for you.

MothballsWallet

LE3 wrote: »

so, who do you think your water is with?
You can't pick & choose who supplies your water like your electricity ....

Not yet, anyway.

Ofwat's looking at allowing businesses to change water suppliers sometime in the near future, and then domestic customers after that.

PasturesNew

cryption wrote: »

Are they just assuming I have no water supplier and trying to get my custom? Seems a bit extreme to visit the property just for that.

You don't/can't pick and choose your water supplier. Water is fixed, unchangeable.

They will have done a meter reading and realised somebody's using water there, so trying to find out who to bill ..... you need to tell them .... then get a bill, then pay it.