Purchased new house - possible to delay water payment till renovations complete?

mute_posting

moonrakerz wrote: »

Maybe you shouldn't have to - but you do !

Perhaps in Thames, but it definitely depends on your region. I'm United Utilities (North West) and had a similar situation (no meter - RV billed) and have only recently moved in after spending 18 months doing it up.

I got a bill addressed to the "occupier" a couple of weeks after I got the keys for about £500 (1 bed flat) which I queried straight away and was told they just send them "to spur people to call them" so they can set up their records. I asked at the time if I needed to pay anything whilst the property was empty and was told no, ignore the bill and any that come until you move in and then when you move in they will start billing from that date, but with the following provisios:

The property must be empty (i.e. no furniture)
The supply may be shut off by them "to prevent leaks" (without notice)

As it turned out the supply was never turned off (maybe because their stoptap outside is broken!) and when I moved in recently they set up the bill from the move in date as previously agreed.

It actually explains on the UU website (if you look hard enough!) all of this so is definitely worth looking deeply on you local suppliers website - beware they often contradict themselves - i.e. with little digging the UU site tells you you must pay even if the house is empty, it is only when I dug deeper I found what I (knew I) had been told 18 months ago.

HTH

MP

EDIT

If anyone is interested in North West...

http://www.unitedutilities.com/resources/files/1934_14914%20Sim%20Guide%20To%20Paying%20Bill_0608_WEB.pdf

Page 13

Empty properties

If a property is both empty
and unfurnished, no water
charges are payable. If you
are not going to be living in
your property for some time, you can have your water
supply temporarily disconnected and avoid paying
charges whilst you are away. We make a charge to
reconnect the water supply. We need at least 14 days
notice. You will remain responsible for charges (including
any fixed or standing charges) until the water supply is
disconnected.
However, if the property remains furnished while you are
away, surface water and highway drainage charges are
still payable.

Stevie1

UU told me the exact same thing this week!

The house is unoccupied and unfurnished. I cintacted them with a meter reading, and was told that because it is unoccupied and unfurnished we will not have to pay until we move in and from readings given at that time. I stressed that there is work at the house and there will be some water usage, and was told that no one will be liable for the charges during the unoccupied period.

Sounds too good to be true so it probably is:o

katiecoodle

Hey - thought I'd update this. I just had a letter from the water company saying "have you moved in yet? If not, we're going to cut off the supply to prevent leaking" Great - so I've no need to confess. Shame they'll cut us off cos it was useful to be able to sneak some water for the plasterer...he'll have to ask next door now...according to the letter, we'll just have to call them when we want them to switch us back on again at their end.