date of water bill increased charges

shed_dweller

I am a customer of Southern Water who wrote to me to say that they would be taking the increased charge from my bank from March 2025 (which they did) whereas I understood that the new charges came into effect in April. I have asked them whether they have the power to do this but their replies have not answered this question, just told me (rather patronisingly, I feel) that this will help me to avoid running up debts on my account. The Consumer Council for Water were unable to help answer my question and nor were Ofwat, unless I have first made a formal complaint to Southern Water. Please can anyone advise on whether Southern Water have overstepped the mark in taking the increased charge before April 2025?  

matelodave

Are you on a meter and have they charged you the new rate on water used after April 1st?. 

MattMattMattUK

shed_dweller said:

I am a customer of Southern Water who wrote to me to say that they would be taking the increased charge from my bank from March 2025 (which they did) whereas I understood that the new charges came into effect in April. I have asked them whether they have the power to do this but their replies have not answered this question, just told me (rather patronisingly, I feel) that this will help me to avoid running up debts on my account. The Consumer Council for Water were unable to help answer my question and nor were Ofwat, unless I have first made a formal complaint to Southern Water. Please can anyone advise on whether Southern Water have overstepped the mark in taking the increased charge before April 2025?  

Almost certainly not.

They will be using your annual usage and then calculating that cost over the twelve month review period and calculating the Direct Debit based on that. They are not charging you money early, they are just averaging your Direct Debit.

la531983

MattMattMattUK said:

shed_dweller said:

I am a customer of Southern Water who wrote to me to say that they would be taking the increased charge from my bank from March 2025 (which they did) whereas I understood that the new charges came into effect in April. I have asked them whether they have the power to do this but their replies have not answered this question, just told me (rather patronisingly, I feel) that this will help me to avoid running up debts on my account. The Consumer Council for Water were unable to help answer my question and nor were Ofwat, unless I have first made a formal complaint to Southern Water. Please can anyone advise on whether Southern Water have overstepped the mark in taking the increased charge before April 2025?  

Almost certainly not.

They will be using your annual usage and then calculating that cost over the twelve month review period and calculating the Direct Debit based on that. They are not charging you money early, they are just averaging your Direct Debit.

Absolutely correct. My increased DD also started 30th March. You are essentially paying into a pot for the next 12 months.