Issues with waterbill at business/industrial property

Hood_2

I suspect I have an incorrect bill and phoning the company really doesn't help much as they swear blind everything is in order and I need to pay it but I don't know how to get evidence that it's either correct or incorrect.

I rent an industrial unit, it's the size of a double garage at 600Sqft. We use it to restore some classic cars and a workshop basically. it has a sink & toilet.

2 years ago I recieved 4 bills all with varying crazy amounts, one was 6k, one was 8k etc I phoned them and they braught it down to £1800 and I set up a DD at £50 per month that's still ongoing. Today I recieved a debt collection letter stating that he visited to collect £1200. Before I phone them again I just want a better understanding of it instead of just them telling me it's correct.

Looking at the bill the water charges seem OK, £30 for 100 days (I have the kettle etc, I sometimes wash the van) the waste water seems excessive at £160 for 100 days. I'm the end unit on a block of 6 and the drain is on my side, I'm wondering if I'm being charged for all 6 units waste water as the other tennants don't have drains? It says it's metered but I don't have a meter inside the building so I'm guessing it's in the actual sewer or something? I was just wondering if that cost compares to anyone else that has a similiar sized building, everything goes directly into the drain from the roof and it's on an industrial unit estate so it's away from the highway.

Jonboy_1984

If it’s metered the meter will be under a small round drain cover somewhere outside the building, normally very close to the boundary. I would start by finding the stopcock and looking in direct lines with it.

You then need to conduct a sanity test, check the meter number matches the bill. Then turn off the internal stopcock and ensure the meter isn’t moving. If you can monitor it over a few days even better.

Do be aware that water boards have the right to estimate usage and charge upfront (always a frustration) for commercial premises.

Hood_2

I see, I know where that is.

I think I've worked out the issue, after some googling I've found I'm being billed for band 3 which has a £700 odd standing charge per year, my property being 600sqft should fall under band 1 which has a £125 standing charge per year.

These companies really don't understand the stress they can cause with debts etc

Hood_2

I'd really appreciate if somebody could talk me through this, I'm so confused by what's going on and starting to doubt myself...

Going off this I came to the conclusion I should be Band 1, the building I rent from the council is 12mx7m so 84 Sq M. Is that how it's calculated? Just the size of the roof. I rent an industrial unit on an industrial estate, there are car parks outside but they are all shared, I don't have leeway or rights on anything outside so I figured I only rent the building itself and that's all that should be covered under this?

I then contacted waterplus with this and was asked to fill in forms and draw a site plan. I did this and had everything measured sent everything back that they asked for which I thought would be the end of it.

Today I had an email...

The next step we need to take is to request a Site Area Allowance Request Form (H/01) with your regional water wholesaler.

There is a £229.74 fee for this, which we'll only charge once the requested is completed.

Please let us know if you'd like us to go ahead with the next steps with these costs, using one of the contact ways at the top of this letter, or the contact us page in MyAccount.

Why do I have to pay £230 on top of a large bill that they say is owed to fill in a 15 page form which I have no idea about, It's making me doubt myself as I've just gone off the size of the building. Do I have to pay for the entire carpark? I just don't want to lose £230 if indeed everything is correct. If somebody could explain it a little I'd hugely appreciate it.

Mykidsmum

Could you not send the site plan that you have drawn up with a covering letter direct to your water company rather than using a third party (Waterplus) who are charging you a fee? You have done the hard work yourself by drawing up the site plan. Give your water company the opportunity to respond first.

Hood_2

I tried, they said they couldn't help as they don't supply businesses.

This is still ongoing, I think I will just have to allow waterplus to add the charge of £220 onto my account. They said it will be removed if I'm correct after a site visit.

I used the site area map at my wholesaler and it's definitely wrong, they have the entire estate classed as a building and most of the next estate as communical.

The bottom image is what I did showing them how it should be but they still wasn't interested and still want to add the £220 onto the account before it goes any further.