South Staffs Water didn't even read my mums meter for her bills

MoneyMon555

I didn't know that my mum had a water meter , but I since discovered she had it for perhaps 10 years out more.

When I contacted South Staffs Water about change of bill payer , they asked for a reading (that's how I found that she had a meter). It was dirty and dusty that it was clear to me that no one could have read the meter for years.

When I asked them, they said that they aim to get someone out once a year to read the meter but just base the usage on previous usage before the meter...

Bearing in mind that usage must have gone down 50% or more as my dad died during that 10 year period (and he was a keen gardener with a thirsty greenhouse and more than a few hoses, sprayers etc), would it be unreasonable to ask SS water to generate an accurate bill based on usage?

They must have a meter reading when it was fitted, and now I have a reading on house move, so they could generate a new bill? I would anticipate she overpaid.

Any thoughts about how to do this? A complaint to SS Water or go to Ofgem?

jaybeetoo

Ask SS first.  Ofgem won’t be interested until you’ve gone through the SS complaints process.

la531983

Are you 100% sure they haven't read it?
No actual reading on the bill?
Nobody has "read" my meter for years, its sent to a passing vehicle via radio signal.

swingaloo

You need to look at the bills. My meter isnt read manually it is remote and my mid year bill always has the estimate but the end of year has the reading.

itsthelittlethings

You need to read your mum’s meter if she is too old to do it. Look up how to read it on the internet.

Then give the reading to the water company, compare the reading with the previous estimate, if it is lower she will get a rebate or can ask for lower bills until the balance is cleared. I would advise a rebate and perhaps she can treat the grandchildren to an ice cream, if she has any.

MoneyMon555

itsthelittlethings said:

You need to read your mum’s meter if she is too old to do it. Look up how to read it on the internet.

Then give the reading to the water company, compare the reading with the previous estimate, if it is lower she will get a rebate or can ask for lower bills until the balance is cleared. I would advise a rebate and perhaps she can treat the grandchildren to an ice cream, if she has any.

So, if I asked South Staffs to calculate , then I can just ask them for a rebate? She is no longer in the property , it just sold

itsthelittlethings

MoneyMon555 said:

itsthelittlethings said:

You need to read your mum’s meter if she is too old to do it. Look up how to read it on the internet.

Then give the reading to the water company, compare the reading with the previous estimate, if it is lower she will get a rebate or can ask for lower bills until the balance is cleared. I would advise a rebate and perhaps she can treat the grandchildren to an ice cream, if she has any.

So, if I asked South Staffs to calculate , then I can just ask them for a rebate? She is no longer in the property , it just sold

Did you take a final reading?

MoneyMon555

la531983 said:

Are you 100% sure they haven't read it?
No actual reading on the bill?
Nobody has "read" my meter for years, its sent to a passing vehicle via radio signal.

I didnt know about that, thanks. All I know is , that the bill was exactly the same every month, and I cant recall seeing anything mentioning 'reading' numbers

itsthelittlethings

Yes, ask them for a rebate. They legally have to give it to you.

MoneyMon555

itsthelittlethings said:

MoneyMon555 said:

itsthelittlethings said:

You need to read your mum’s meter if she is too old to do it. Look up how to read it on the internet.

Then give the reading to the water company, compare the reading with the previous estimate, if it is lower she will get a rebate or can ask for lower bills until the balance is cleared. I would advise a rebate and perhaps she can treat the grandchildren to an ice cream, if she has any.

So, if I asked South Staffs to calculate , then I can just ask them for a rebate? She is no longer in the property , it just sold

Did you take a final reading?

I did , yes

sammyjammy

MoneyMon555 said:

la531983 said:

Are you 100% sure they haven't read it?
No actual reading on the bill?
Nobody has "read" my meter for years, its sent to a passing vehicle via radio signal.

I didnt know about that, thanks. All I know is , that the bill was exactly the same every month, and I cant recall seeing anything mentioning 'reading' numbers

Thats how it works, they bill annually and you pay over 12 months, the bill doesn't change on a monthly basis.  They then adjust the payment for next year up or down as required.