Not paid my water bill for three years, now what?

mute_posting

H2O wrote: »

Hey hey steady on, didn't know water issues could get so "steamy".

Perhaps you should think before you type - i.e. how is what I am typing going to be viewed by others reading.

Perhaps a more suitable statement would have been "It's a good job the person only moved there 3 years ago because I have just been onto xxx and they have told me that upto 6 years unbilled water can be charged for"

(Instead of quoting an answer and boldy proclaiming that it is incorrect)

H2O

Cardew wrote: »

The bottom line is that you are liable to pay them for the last 3 years if they discover you haven't had a bill.

There is no let out clause like gas/electricity where they can only go back 12 months.

It is simply a civil debt and they can, and almost certainly will, pursue that debt - if they find out. You may be able to 'negotiate' a reduction.

I was pointing out that there is in fact a let out clause, so the above quoted bold section of the statement is incorrect.

Unfortunately though it's a 6 year backcharge one, so in the case for this original thread it's of no use.

Others reading this particular thread could've thought that charges could go back infinitely, when in fact they can't.

That's all I was making the point for.

This isn't about getting one up on some other poster, it's about trying to inform others to maybe help each other surely ?

Cardew

H2O,
I think you are missing the point here.

Firstly I qualified my 'let out clause' statement by referring to the 12 month clause for gas and electricity - which many people seem to think applies to water bills.

Secondly I said "it is simply a civil debt" and a civil debt can be claimed back for 6 years.

Thirdly I specifically referred to 'that debt' of 3 years duration.

So there was absolutely nothing 'incorrect' in my original post; and frankly I do take exception to being told flatly "that is incorrect"! and trying to defend that statement makes matters worse.

That some people, apparantly including yourself?, are not aware that a civil debt can be be pursued back for 6 years is understandable.

That you contacted the Water Consumer Board to discover the definition of a civil debt is commendable, and it is even more commendable that you took the trouble to post it in this thread for the benefit of those who were also unaware of that definition.

H2O

Cardew wrote: »

H2O,
I think you are missing the point here.

Firstly I qualified my 'let out clause' statement by referring to the 12 month clause for gas and electricity - which many people seem to think applies to water bills.

Secondly I said "it is simply a civil debt" and a civil debt can be claimed back for 6 years.

Thirdly I specifically referred to 'that debt' of 3 years duration.

So there was absolutely nothing 'incorrect' in my original post; and frankly I do take exception to being told flatly "that is incorrect"! and trying to defend that statement makes matters worse.

That some people, apparantly including yourself?, are not aware that a civil debt can be be pursued back for 6 years is understandable.

That you contacted the Water Consumer Board to discover the definition of a civil debt is commendable, and it is even more commendable that you took the trouble to post it in this thread for the benefit of those who were also unaware of that definition.

Fair enough.

I just thought it prudent to let people know that there is a let out clause, but it only applies after 6 years has elapsed, as there appears to be people on here who've not had a bill for 17 years and are now looking to move house, therefore potentially thinking they're not gonna be able to clear their water debts.

Cheers

crank_girl