Charged For Their S.t 's Mistake- Any Advice??!!

hotmama

Hi, i moved into a bought property in May, having movEd from a rented house in the same area. I notified all the relevant boards including Severn Trent of change of ownership in May and set up my D. D to pay bill. They sent the breakdown of annual fee and as it was a similar amount to what i previous paid i though nothing of it.

Until... On saturday 2 letters dropped for the previous owners from Severn Trent. I opened them as i am fed up of them sending letters. I phoned them to explain that they no longer own propery and i have no forwarding address for the outstanding debt.

They lady on phone disappeared for 5 mins comes back and tells me the debt is mine!!! Because when i phoned to set up D.D they only set up account for sewerage and not for water- so i have only paid for sewerge! :mad:

They now want me to pay this debt of 300+ although it was their mistake!!

Any advice would be welcome!!

Cardew

Presumably you are not on a meter?

Is the £300 bill from May(when you moved in) to April 2008?

You are obviously still liable for any service you get; their mistake in not notifying you does not alter that position. All that has happened is they are 3 months late with the bill. It is more of a misunderstanding than a serious mistake.

You might be able to 'negotiate' a small reduction for the portion of the bill from May until present, but I wouldn't count on it!

hotmama

hi, no i am not on a meter, thanks for the advice. i am so annoyed - the lady on phone was not clear if for whole year- i guess i'll have to wait until it lands on the doo step to find out.

Thanks for reply!