Never had a water bill in 3 years. Got a letter today 😵‍💫

Orangeflamingo23

Hi folks, 
I’m new here, hope this is an appropriate thread.
I moved into a new build property in 2022 & contacted the water provider, but they never sent me a bill. I only contacted them once, & as bad as this sounds I didn’t pursue & thought perhaps water bills were included & then genuinely forgot all about it. 

Yesterday received a letter saying I need to make contact & they don’t have a record of who’s living here.
Am now terrified I owe 3+ years of water bills & I'm a single mum & completely struggling financially right now. 

Can they ask for payment for the last 3+ years? 

Peter999_2

Back billing stops them from going back more than 12 months if it is their fault for not supplying a bill and it sounds like it is their fault.
Have you got details of when you contacted them about it?

QrizB

Peter999_2 said:

Back billing stops them from going back more than 12 months if it is their fault for not supplying a bill and it sounds like it is their fault.

I know that's true for electricity and gas, but can you provide a reference to something saying it also applies to water?

Orangeflamingo23 said:

Can they ask for payment for the last 3+ years? 

They can (unless the previous poster can evidence their claim) but you should be able to ask them to spread the cost out over a similar period - which would mean you paying double for about three years.
Eg. if your water bill should be £50 a month / £600 a year and you're three years behind so owing £1800, they should let you pay £50 a month (your ongoing bill) plus another £50 a month (towards arrears). Over the next three years you'll clear your arrears.

Keep_pedalling

Peter999_2 said:

Back billing stops them from going back more than 12 months if it is their fault for not supplying a bill and it sounds like it is their fault.
Have you got details of when you contacted them about it?

That maybe the rule for energy companies but not water companies.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/backdated-water-bills/

mmmmikey

Orangeflamingo23 said:

Hi folks, 
I’m new here, hope this is an appropriate thread.
I moved into a new build property in 2022 & contacted the water provider, but they never sent me a bill. I only contacted them once, & as bad as this sounds I didn’t pursue & thought perhaps water bills were included & then genuinely forgot all about it. 

Yesterday received a letter saying I need to make contact & they don’t have a record of who’s living here.
Am now terrified I owe 3+ years of water bills & I'm a single mum & completely struggling financially right now. 

Can they ask for payment for the last 3+ years? 

If you do as they ask and contact them they are likely to be pleased that you are co-operating as they won't want any hassle any more than you do. They are also likely to be sympathetic to your situation and at the very least agree a payment plan that allows you to pay anything you owe over a period you can afford. It's not beyond the realms of possibility they will write some of what's owing off as a gesture of goodwill but that's not guaranteed.

One way or the other the best thing is just get on the phone ASAP and see what they say. Just tell them exactly what you've put in this thread, including the bit about being terrified as that will hopefully encourage them to be helpful and sympathetic.

I'd suggest doing this straight away if this is going to play on your mind. Once you have spoken to them post back here and we'll be able to help more of needed.

Good luck 🤞 

matelodave

Be a bit wary when asking for deferred payments for a bill arrears as they are actually offering you a credit agreement although that's not what it looks like.

I know this is not quite the same,  but some water companies report this to the credit reference agencies and put a marker if you request extra time to pay (Anglian certainly do and mark missed DD payments as well)

 Have a look at this thread to see what happened to someone who requested time to pay from British Gas - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6624115/british-gas-and-ar-marker-arranging-direct-debit-payment-plan#latest

Brie

I would ask them questions rather than volunteer too much info.  Sure, say that you contacted them when you moved in but never had a response - that puts the blame in their court.  In those circumstances if they start asking why you haven't contacted them since, just reply "but when I did contact you you didn't reply".  Repeatedly if needed.

Frankly I have found that water companies in general are the easier of the utilities to deal with, they know they can't cut people off, they know they have to play fair, even if they are in debt themselves they know they can't drag you down too. 

You might get to the point where you are willing to pay them for the last 12 months only but ensure it is in a way that is affordable to you - I agree that they shouldn't suggest you pay more than twice what is a normal bill given that they may not know how much water you have used and what you owe if they don't know who you are and when you moved in.  

Frankly it's possible that they may not know when you moved in so maybe just arrange a current DD and take it from there?  Don't lie to them of course but let them do the talking and see what you want to do in response.