Unexpected water bill - payment plan?

NewB

I've just been sent a water bill for £672 which covers two years worth of water (April 14 - March 16), with 2 weeks notice for payment.

Some background - we bought our flat from the council just prior to that, and was unaware that we had to pay water separately - we have a communal boiler so all costs for heating the water, central heating and boiler works are included in the monthly maintenance charge, and in the past all water charges were met by the council. It was a completely honest misunderstanding.

The account has been set up with Thames Water in my name (without my knowledge) and backdated, because obviously the council eventually said they were no longer due to pay the bills.

I can't afford to pay this in one go, and want to suggest a payment plan that suits me, as we will also now be liable for monthly water bills as well as the retrospective bill, so we could end up having to pay around £90 per month.

Am I able to suggest a payment plan that works for me? Say £20 per month on top of the ongoing water bill? Is there a letter template?

Many thanks!

System

The first thing to point out is that, in terms of water costs, £672 is not excessively high for 2 years of consumption. Water has to be paid for either through a charge calculated using the rateable value of the property, or via a usage meter. There really isn't a contractual issue here as consumers have little (or no) choice over their supplier, and if you have used water then the company has a right to bill. My advice would be to contact Thames Water and ask for time to pay.

Cardew

I am pretty certain that Thames Water will give you time to pay off the debt, albeit they might want more than the £20 a month you suggest.


Water charges have not increased for most people, so if £672 covers 2 years(April 14 to April 16) that will be approx. £28 a month for future water charges, plus of course paying back the debt.


In the first instance I would ring Thames Water and discuss setting up a direct debit.

NewB

Thanks for your replies... Yes I do realise its not a huge amount for the two years, it's only a one bed flat though so I guess we're proportionally at the lower end of the scale. (We do already pay around £200 a month to the council for maintenance charges though, which is why I was disappointed to find that it doesn't include water!)

I'll get in touch with TW and see what they can offer - will post an update in due course!

Cardew

You may be better off applying for a meter. In a flat like yours, it is possible they cannot fit a meter and you will be offered the assessed rate for a 1 bed flat. which is £204 pa see:


https://www.thameswater.co.uk/tw/common/downloads/literature-water-waste-water-charges/Our_Charges_2015-16_(web).pdf


Even with a water meter, you are likely to pay less than unmetered charges.

samsmoot

If you are on a very low income you may qualify for help with your water charges. You can contact Thames Water's Charitable Trust and ask for an application form if you think you may be eligible. I would ask that collection of any debt be put on hold whilst the application is being considered.

spiro

As a rule of thumb the best you can expect is to repay it in the same period it was accrued so that would be £28 per month on top of future consumption.

macman

Water supply and drainage is not normally included in a 'maintenance' charge, even if the block has a communal heating and hot water system as described.