Landlord Wants Water Bill Paid Within 14 Days - Help!

[snuggles79]

When I moved into my apartment there was an ongoing issue between the landlord and the water company and so we were not able to be billed for the water used.

I have just received a letter from the Landlord stating this has now been resolved with the water company and that they reached an agreement where we would not have to pay for any of the water before September 2007.

However, they are now billing us £114 for the water from September to date and saying that payment needs to be made within 14 days.

I am currently on Incapcity Benefit, Income Support, Housing Benefit and DLA. My joint tenant is working part-time and studying.

Can they demand this much money from us in such a short space of time?

If not, what are our rights?

I'm not debating the money is owed and should be paid - I just think a bit longer than 14 days would be nice when it was not down to us that the problems occurred.

Many thanks for any advice / help you give.

Chris

[Planner]

Is the account in your name?
Is a standing charge ratable water or a water meter?

Why arent you disputing it? is it definatley correct?

[snuggles79]

Oops sorry - should have explained clearer.

There is one water meter for the whole building (about 60 apartments) so they have divided it between the apartments based on number of bedrooms.

So, we don't get the water bill ourselves - it goes to the Landlord and then the Landlord bills us.

[Planner]

Oh I see. So the water company have billed you directly? - Just give them a call, explain your situation and they will suggest a monthly payment plan. This isnt really a lettings issue, you would be better having this thread moved/re-posting it in the utilities - gas/electric/water section as there maybe some kind of help you can recieve with payments etc.

[snuggles79]

No it's the Landlord that has billed us.

The water company has billed the Landlord and then the Landlord has billed us. So it's the landlord that wants the money in 14 days - hence me posting it in this section

We've had problems with the landlord in the past too so not sure how willing they will be to installments - hence asking what our rights are before I contact them.

[Planner]

In that case what does your contract say about utilities? in particular water? - payment arrangements, monthly/quaterly billing etc?

Have you got a copy of the actual bill from the LL so that you can divide the total by 60? - what does the contract say about billing arrangements?