Old Water debt, agency are nagging me!

the_painters_inn

Hello, I have received a letter from a debt collection agency in relation to an outstanding water debt from my last property which is £629.03. Obviously I have to pay this back, but before I phone the agency I wanted to get some advice about how to go about paying them. I simply cannot afford the whole amount, I am on a very low income, OH is out of work and with two small children money is tight. How should I contact them, should I hone them? And how much money will they accept, would they accept a weekly payment? Please help, I don't want them collectors knocking on the door!
Emma x

NUFCnutter

DO NOT PHONE THEM. Write them a letter, offering them a token payment of whatever you feel you can afford per month £1 is sometimes accepted. I am sure someone who is better versed at these things will help you work out what to say to them, or look at the national debtline website but DO NOT TELEPHONE THEM.

Cleosmum

i had an outstanding amount for water and i rang them and made an arrangement, which they confirmed in writing with each payment date and amount set out. My debt was almost the same as yours and they set it £66 a month on £660 debt. Is your water still supplied by the same company?

EDIT: Sorry, just realised it with DCA, dont ring them, do it all in writing. Work out how much you can comfortably afford and then write offering that amount.

the_painters_inn

yes I am still with the same water company, and I have started to get behind on my current payments also. I have made an arrangement to pay this off weekly, as I dread the thought of having another debt going to the debt collectors. I have just become self employed and I am struggling to make ends meet while I get my business established. I just want to nip it in the bud and try and keep my head above water.

Cleosmum

As you are with the same company I would ring/write them, rather than the DCA and explain that you really want it sorted. Make an offer and get them to write to you setting out the arrangements. Are you on income support or JSA? You can arrange to have your water taken out before you get the money, my mum does this otherwise she gets behind with it.

Good luck with the negotiations, remember everything is sortable

AGB863

Which water company is it?

A number of Water Companys will have a charitable trust that you can apply to for assistance with payment to water rates arrears. I know that South Staffordshire, Severn Trent and Anglian Water operate this system as I have used them for clients of ours.

I would call the water company and ask the question