Renting and just received a huge water bill

Sgreenwood09

My partner and I began renting a two bedroom flat December 2013. We have asked and asked the landlord for water bills etc as we have never received one the whole time we have been here. He recently sent us these bills, with the amount adding up to over £1,259. My partner and I are in complete shock and really upset, as we have a baby on the way and we were told maximum, between £300-400 for the year for water ( so that's what's we have budgeted for) on the water bills we have half yearly service charge £459.06 that comes out twice a year ( we have not been told what this is) as well as water recharges - these are issued every 4-7 months with each amount varying. Example oct 13-February 14 £56.00 then the next one fen 14- October 14 £207.85. Nobody is willing to explain this to us, the company say they can't talk to us as we are not the household owner and its a nightmare trying to get hold of our landlord. Please please can someone help us

suelizab

you pay the bills in your name only. the landlord pays the bills in his name . there are 4 of us and our water bill is around £90 per quarter. Perhaps he is trying to get you to pay his water bills and debts too . Do not pay .

sinizterguy

Why wasn't the bill in your name?

If you are the only people renting this property, then call up the water company, get the bills in your name, dated from when you moved in. Make sure the dates are correct so that there will be no debt from before being added in.

Obviously, that won't get the amount down, but will allow them to explain to you what the charges are for.

suelizab

have you seen the water bills and the dates?

Sgreenwood09

Well this is the thing, the bills are all addressed to him. It has our address on it but nothing else. I've had a look at average water bill use age etc as a guideline and nothing comes close to it being over £1,259 !! I'm so confused and upset and don't really know where to start with it all x

Ms_Chocaholic

If the bills are in his name, let him pay them.

Sgreenwood09

Does anyone have any idea what a half yearly service charge in advance is ? For 6 months we have to pay, or it has appeared on our bill, at £459.06 for 6months - now that alone is more then what some people pay a year for water ?!?

McKneff

What does it say in your tenancy re the water bills.


I cant think what this service charge would be.

Ms_Chocaholic

Which water authority is it?

Guest101

Sgreenwood09 wrote: »

Does anyone have any idea what a half yearly service charge in advance is ? For 6 months we have to pay, or it has appeared on our bill, at £459.06 for 6months - now that alone is more then what some people pay a year for water ?!?

How big is the property? What does your tenancy agreement say about water bills?

Sgreenwood09

It says we have to pay the water bill to encore estate management ( this is the company who manages the building of flats we are in) have rang these numerous times and they refuse to talk to us as we aren't the owner. This is the company who have sent the water bill. All we have been told is " the water company will bill the block of flats, the management for the building will then break this down to who owes what, that bill will then get sent to the landlord" so why a copy can't be sent to us I don't know !