Overcharged incorrectly for sewage - reasonable compensation?

LordOfCats

long story short, I have been incorrectly charged for sewage (house is on a private system not mains network) over the past 5 years.

I have already received a refund for the over charges (big chunk!)

They’ve said the most they’ll give now is £200 compensation, and this is basically interest on overpayments compounded over the 5 years.

Seems quite low and I’d like to push for more (considering this went on for 5 years!)

the council for water mentioned there might be a possibility to get £50 per overpayment, but when I called again to enquiry they couldn’t locate or specify where this had come from.

What can I do to maximise the compensation from this?

noitsnotme

What was your actual loss compared to the £200 compensation offer? Are you out of pocket if they only pay you £200?

GrumpyDil

Why do you feel you need more compensation, which is designed to compensate you for losses?

Isthisforreal99

Unless you can demonstrate actual losses of more than being offered then take the £200 and move on.

p00hsticks

How was the overcharge discovered ?

If you have been receiving bills with it itemised for the last five years and only just noticed and queried it then personally I think £200 on top of the refund is more than generous

YBR

Compensation is only to repay what has been lost by you, so to refund what was over paid is the main part of that, which has already been done. The loss of interest, compared with that money having been saved is another loss. I believe they wouldn't generally pay you your time & costs in chasing the issue, for example.

SO are you querying the mount of interest they have estimated or saying that there have been other losses?

matelodave

Why do you think you are entitled to compensation over and above any possible loss of interest. You dont appear to be out of pocket if they have refunded the overpayment.

£200 sounds like a lot more than you'd have probably lost in interest. Don't be greedy, just accept it and move on.

LordOfCats

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970487#Comment_81970487

mainly due to the council for water stating I’d be owed £50 per overcharge. Whether this comes down to per direct debit, or per bill I’m not sure. If it’s per DD (unlikely) then I’ll be absolutely quids in (60*50=3,000) even per bill it will be £300. Im not going give up and not pursue that am I?

Either way, I’m guaranteed the £200 so why wouldn’t I push for more when I’m (possibly, according to the council for water) entitled to it? If it’s part of a registered and binding scheme, then I’m going to take it.

It’s also the way they’ve dealt with the complaint too. Hasn’t been quick or satisfactory, they’ve pressured me to accept the payment to get the complaint closed. Been sketchy around what stage its at (1 or 2).

But I appreciate the comments saying compensation is only for loss, have I lost more than what they have offered? Maybe, maybe not. Why I come to a forum to ask.

LordOfCats

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970501#Comment_81970501

first time I’ve moved into a house. Via housing association, should’ve been billed correctly automatically - never knew no mains near us. Discovered on a whim by myself, water company instantly knew, didn’t even argue or want evidence “yes we know that sorry we’ve over charged you”

MattMattMattUK

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970823#Comment_81970823

You still did not check your bills for five years.

LordOfCats

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81971407#Comment_81971407

not strictly correct - bills were checked but it was only recently found on that the house is in a private small treatment plant.

bill from water company assumed to be correct until we found out