Renting Property - Just got water bill

Chalky87

Hello there,

I am renting a property, and just received my first water bill. I was shocked to see that the balance was over £100. I only moved in at the very end of August...

The reason the sum was so large is because the bill hasn't been paid for so long. A balance of £55 was carried over from 2006, and a further £45 on top for April - October this year. I wondered where I stood with this, as the vast majority of the bill is clearly not mine.

There was a tennant in the apartment prior to myself, so I know that the £45 for the last 6 months will have come mainly from them.

Can anyone advise on the best plan of action?..Tried getting in touch with estate agent, but they have still not got back to me.

Thanks

PasturesNew

Did you take a water reading when you moved in?
I'd call them and point out that I've only been in the property since _____ and it isn't your bill. See what they offer.

A_Nice_Englishman

Ring the water company and tell them when you moved in and, if you have a meter, give them the reading on that date. Back this up with a copy of your tenancy agreement if necessary.

Gorgeous_George

The bottom line is that you are only responsible for the water rates from the day that you moved in.

If you are not metered, they will charge you to the end of March 2008 or thereabouts. This will be around 60% of the full annual bill and £100 would seem reasonable.

If you are on the meter, it is most unlikely that you will have used £100 worth of water/waste in just 2 months. I use about £20 per month. You will need to provide a meter reading for the day that you moved in or ask them to estimate it for you.

Don't worry, they will sort it.

GG

pinkshoes

It's nothing to do with the estate agent. Just phone the water company and let them know the date you moved in along with the reading, and ask them to send you a bill for the correct period.

If you didn't take a reading when you moved in (tut! tut!) then at least try and make a sensible estimate, or contact the letting agent who should have read the meter at some point. They might try and swindle you on this though... which is why it's important to read the meter (elec, gas, water) on the day you move in!

Lavendyr

Unless there isn't a meter fitted for the water (still the case in many houses), in which case you will be charged a fixed amount based on the rateable value of the house. But you can still phone them in that case and tell them the date you moved in - you should not be liable for someone else's bills.