Water company problem

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adorabubble
adorabubble Posts: 18 Forumite
in Water bills
Hi, first of all let me explain my sisters situation:

Disabled with Muscular Dystrophy and therefore unable to work.
Husband is her full time carer.
They have 6 children (13, 9, 8, 7, 5 and 2, the 13 yr old is diabetic).
They live (and struggle) on benefits.

They moved into a new council property in Feb 2001. And informed all relevant utility companies at the time. After not recieving any paperwork from the water company within 3 months my sister phoned them and they said they will sort out her account and put a bill in the post. This continued every month or so for the majority of the time between then and now. Only now have they got around to sending a bill for £600 and demanding payment within 14 days. Phonecalls were made explaining their situation and the water company threatened to switch off the water (this has not happened). The balance has now been transfered to a debt agency who are demanding that at least £50.00 a month is payed to them. My sister already lives below the bread line and is so devastatingly worried. Money is more than tight and the frightening tactics have her ill. Can anybody advise what she should do, please?

Comments

  • pawnster
    pawnster Posts: 8 Forumite
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    A responsible water company will only backdate one year of charges when historical mistake comes to light for domestic accounts (6 years for commercial)


    Anglian Wateradopted this policy some years ago ...

    Contact Watervoice in the FIRST instance...local number in yellow pages etc
    THEY will send written query to water board to deal with ...and it carries the most clout...make sure to just document all the facts ...without all the emotive exaggeration e all become prone to...and defo include the health/wealth and kids info ..
    Good Luck
  • mountainofdebt
    mountainofdebt Posts: 7,795 Forumite
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    Hubby used to work for a water company and he told me (recently) that there was some piece of legislation that meant that water companies COULDN'T disconnect the water supply.

    When he wakes up I will ask him exactly what legislation it was.
    2014 Target;
    To overpay CC by £1,000.
    Overpayment to date : £310

    2nd Purse Challenge:
    £15.88 saved to date
  • DJ1UK
    DJ1UK Posts: 370 Forumite
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    Water companies cannot disconnect supply (it's illegal), but they do have the right to disconnect waste water (stop taking away sewerage).

    DJ
  • mountainofdebt
    mountainofdebt Posts: 7,795 Forumite
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    Have spoken to hubby and he unfortunately doesn't know the name of the piece of legislation I was referring to and he is pretty sure that although they may be technically allowed to disconnect the collection of waste water he doubts very much they would as to due this, they would have to also disconnect other properties that would be connected on the same drainage system (not forgetting all the public health implications!!)

    I think though your sister does need to address the debt issue (which I'm not saying she isn't).

    Assuming that she is claiming all the benefits that they are entitled to, I think it would an idea for her to calculate how much she could realistically afford and offer to pay this in writing, sent to the debt collectors by recorded delivery. I - personally - would keep to this payment plan even without the debt collectors agreement...that way if they did get stroppy and do take her to court then she can demonstrate to the court that she has been trying to clear the debt.

    hth
    2014 Target;
    To overpay CC by £1,000.
    Overpayment to date : £310

    2nd Purse Challenge:
    £15.88 saved to date
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
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    If its a council house, should they be paying ?.

    Around here, Gateshead, the water rates are included in the coucil rent.

    It may be worth checking
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Fran
    Fran Posts: 11,281 Forumite
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    CIS wrote:
    If its a council house, should they be paying ?.

    Around here, Gateshead, the water rates are included in the coucil rent.

    It may be worth checking
    The two authorities I know about in Wales have water bills seperately so it depends on the individual authority.

    Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water and/or Southern Water might be of use.

    You should advise her to contact her local Citizens Advice Bureau as they will be able to negotiate on her behalf.
    Torgwen.......... :) ...........
  • mountainofdebt
    mountainofdebt Posts: 7,795 Forumite
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    Have found out from a friend that the piece of legislation is the water industries act

    hth
    2014 Target;
    To overpay CC by £1,000.
    Overpayment to date : £310

    2nd Purse Challenge:
    £15.88 saved to date
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