We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Overpaying water bills for years
Murfs71
Posts: 3 Newbie
in Water bills
Hi, can anyone please help me as I don't think the response I received from United Utilities is correct?🤷♂️ I'm currently paying over £60 per month so I recently requested a water meter as my bills would be cut in half. The engineer came out and said I couldn't have a meter as the supply is shared with my neighbour, UU then got in touch and said because of this going forward, my monthly bill would be £33 per month, I asked about a refund & they sent this reply back :
"Thank you for your contact received on 4 June 2024 regarding payments at address.Unfortunately we wouldn't backdate any other charges before the meter was attempted to be fit. We will just be going forward with a reduced payment amount each month"
I don't think this is fair, I don't want all of it since I've lived in the property 18 years but I would have thought a one off compensatory amount would be fair?
Any advice would be most welcome! 👍
"Thank you for your contact received on 4 June 2024 regarding payments at address.Unfortunately we wouldn't backdate any other charges before the meter was attempted to be fit. We will just be going forward with a reduced payment amount each month"
I don't think this is fair, I don't want all of it since I've lived in the property 18 years but I would have thought a one off compensatory amount would be fair?
Any advice would be most welcome! 👍
0
Comments
-
Have you been paying via rateable value?0
-
Thanks for replying DE_612183, just been on to my last bill and they have 3 separate charges : Standing charge: This is a fixed annual charge associated with the costs of providing our services, and is shared amongst all our customers. . Fixed: Based on factors such as the size and location of your home. Assessed charges (other): Your tariff caps your charges based on your property type.0
-
I'm guessing that you have been on rate-able value up until now, and as they can't fit a meter they have given you an estimated charge of £33 - that's not to say the original £60 was incorrect - it's just you opted for that method.
You could try a complaint and ombudsman, but I'm not sure you will get anywhere.0 -
Many thanks for your help 👍0
-
So has your neighbour also been paying all these years? If not then perhaps you have been paying for their water as well as your own in which case it's the neighbour you should be talking to about paying you something.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on Debt Free Wannabe and Old Style Money Saving boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.
"Never retract, never explain, never apologise; get things done and let them howl.” Nellie McClung1 -
Until you asked for a water meter the RV method of charging was correct.
The reduced charge is because your property is unsuitable for a meter and because that is not your fault there is a process for a deemed charge based on occupancy rather than RV.
2 -
I'm of the opinion that a water meter should be fitted just before the stop tap in any property then the user will only be billed for the water they have used.Someone please tell me what money is0
-
Murfs71 said:Hi, can anyone please help me as I don't think the response I received from United Utilities is correct?🤷♂️ I'm currently paying over £60 per month so I recently requested a water meter as my bills would be cut in half. The engineer came out and said I couldn't have a meter as the supply is shared with my neighbour, UU then got in touch and said because of this going forward, my monthly bill would be £33 per month, I asked about a refund & they sent this reply back :
"Thank you for your contact received on 4 June 2024 regarding payments at address.Unfortunately we wouldn't backdate any other charges before the meter was attempted to be fit. We will just be going forward with a reduced payment amount each month"
I don't think this is fair, I don't want all of it since I've lived in the property 18 years but I would have thought a one off compensatory amount would be fair?
Any advice would be most welcome! 👍
-> If both, then you may have a cause to complain to either the neighbour or the water co. If only yours, then see below..
If you did get a meter, then the new metered amount would only apply going forward. Before that, you were paying the correct price, just on a different methodology. That would mean ~half bills, and no change for the historical bills.
Most people effectively get the best of, since they can choose between meter and rated value. Since you can't get that choice, they're lowering your rated value, but that's just in place of the time you should be paying metered. You should have been paying the rated value until this point, so they are correct there's no retroactive change.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 347.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 251.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 451.8K Spending & Discounts
- 239.5K Work, Benefits & Business
- 615.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.1K Life & Family
- 252.8K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards