Severn Trent sent Me a debt collector letter

rippedoffandmad

This morning i opened a letter from a debt collection agency named Advantis concerning my water bill stating that 
“the original balance of £196.19 has incurred a £39.00 recovery administration charge due to non payment “
I had spoken by phone to ST in March 2022 to discus this year’s  bill of £356.19p & that I was not going to be paying by DD or SO as I have to juggle my finances to be able to make regular payments to them. I have made regular payments since March2022 of £30 or £40 monthly and included a few double monthly payments so my balance as of today on ST website shows a balance of £156 with No outstanding payment due 
I have called them and been passed to several departments and finally they have removed the recovery charge and because I still will not set up a payment plan I have to pay the £156 balance by Oct 2022 
i have argued that because my UC does not cover my rent and EON payments I have to wait for my PIP payment to then juggle the shortfalls to pay council tax and water bill and basic  living expenses and therefore cannot commit to a dated payment plan 
I even offered to call them daily to pay the 83p a day they are charging me but they didn’t like that offer 
I am managing my bills the best I can but wow they sure make it difficult are they legally allowed to call it a debt just because you will not be subjected to sign an agreement to pay as you pay in advance?🤷‍♀️

Cardew

rippedoffandmad said:

I am managing my bills the best I can but wow they sure make it difficult are they legally allowed to call it a debt just because you will not be subjected to sign an agreement to pay as you pay in advance?🤷‍♀️

The Government Water Act lays down water/sewerage charges for all  companies are due to be paid in advance for the year beginning in April. So it is a debt.

However with Rateable value and metered bills companies allow you to pay in two installments in October and April; the latter  based on actual or estimated meter readings

All water companies allow the bill to be paid by monthly DD.

IMO it is unreasonable of you to expect ST to set up a bespoke payment system for you, where you pay differing amounts at different times