How have the water company sent my wife a bill for an empty property?

awaw76

I have an old property that was wrecked by the last tenant so I have been upgrading it myself - as I get time as a way to a) get out of the house and learn some DIY skills - anyway the house was fullyt gutted-  all walls and ceilings stripped, rads out no kitchen or bathroom- so informed the water company I am the Landlord and no one lives there - its been unoccupied since June 2020. The walls have been plastered and a kitchen fitted - but there is no bathroom and ch needs fitting. The plan was to live in it as a summer home or possibly downsize to - but not to rent it out again - had enough of that. 

So I received a water bill in the name of my wife dated last week but billed from last december. I am on the electoral register at this property as well but not my wife. So how is it they sent her a letter?

I called them but they said they can't discuss the bill with me - but I said I am the owner.

MaryNB

Did she set up the account in her name at any stage?
The owner isn't always the account holder, often the tenants are, so it doesn't give you automatic right to discuss the bill, you need to get her to sort the account.

The title implies you weren't expecting a bill. The standing charge is still due if the property is empty, unless they agreed to waive it. 

Stubod

...as above, at some point it looks like your wife was named as the account holder?....and again as above there will be a standing charge even if no water has been used.

eddddy

I suspect that the water company have been chasing your old tenants for standing charge payments since June 2020.


So the tenants have belatedly told the water company they moved out in June 2020 - and the water company would have probably asked the tenants who took over responsibility for the property.


Did your wife generally deal with the tenants? Would the tenants have given her name instead of yours?


So I guess you need to tell the water company that, in reality, you have been responsible for the property since June 2020 - they'll open a new account in your name and send you a bill -  and cancel the bill/account in your wife's name.

MaryNB

Also, as an aside, not sure why you are on the electoral register at that address. You should only register at the address where you reside unless you are exempt by being a special category voter (e.g. you live abroad, are a service member). Goes against your "empty property" claim. Also I presume you needed water to do that level of DIY.

anselld

Who  do  you expect to pay for water if not you?    You cant plaster without using water (amongst other things).   

AdrianC

awaw76 said:

I have an old property that was wrecked by the last tenant so I have been upgrading it myself - as I get time as a way to a) get out of the house and learn some DIY skills - anyway the house was fullyt gutted-  all walls and ceilings stripped, rads out no kitchen or bathroom- so informed the water company I am the Landlord and no one lives there - its been unoccupied since June 2020. The walls have been plastered and a kitchen fitted - but there is no bathroom and ch needs fitting. The plan was to live in it as a summer home or possibly downsize to - but not to rent it out again - had enough of that. 

So I received a water bill in the name of my wife dated last week but billed from last december. I am on the electoral register at this property as well but not my wife. So how is it they sent her a letter?

I called them but they said they can't discuss the bill with me - but I said I am the owner.

Is it empty, or do you live there (hence "on the electoral register") or are you the landlord (so who are the tenants)?

If you are the owner, why did you not tell the water company yourself that your tenants moved out, a year ago?