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Not paid any water

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convection
convection Posts: 6 Forumite
edited 14 April 2014 at 11:42AM in Water bills
Hi,

Moved into a small 1 bed flat 3 months ago and not paid any water rates, i've never received any corres form any water board nor have a tried calling them... as far as can see there's no meter as i'm in a block of flats

I move out soon onto a new address, do i bother ringing them to say i've never paid anything or just leave and not say anything?

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  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,060 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    edited 14 April 2014 at 4:04PM
    If you haven't tried contacting them, how do they know you are occupying the flat? Some flats remain empty for years.


    If there is no meter, charges would be based on the old Rateable Value(RV) or possibly an assessed charge.


    If you haven't received any correspondence, it is probable that the previous occupant wasn't paying water bills either.


    Your problem is that at some time in the future the non-payment of bills will come to light and there could be a huge bill outstanding - for the period before and after your occupancy.


    The account will be passed to a Debt Collection Agency(DCA) and then the fun begins. If they have your name(from the Landlord/letting agency?), they will chase you for as much as they can get away with - with possible damage to your credit rating.


    At least if you contact them now - with some sort of proof when you moved in, you will only get a four month bill.


    On the other hand you may get away with no payment if you do nothing!!


    Edit.
    It is possible that the charges are included in a Service Charge, or landlord pays
  • yeah... had the same thoughts, think i'll just ring them to avoid the hassle!

    cheers! :)
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's your job to ring them when you move in-not when you move out. They're not psychic, and have no idea when properties change hands.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
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