Can I reclaim Â£900 from Southern Water?

bumblebea · 28th June 2007, 22:13

Since moving to my rented house about 10 years ago, I have been paying for my water at the unmetered rate. Recently I asked to have a meter fitted because I live alone and it works out cheaper. Today they called to fit a meter but they found one already installed. Apparently it had been fitted when the previous tenant lived here. All along I should have been paying at the cheaper rate; over the 10 years I have been here, I reckon I have been overcharged about £900. I am wondering whether I have any chance of reclaiming this money. I suppose I would be arguing they had been negligent in failing to tell me I had a water meter fitted when I first started paying my bills. Thanks to anyone who can offer advice.

kasdizz · 7th July 2007, 02:50

First, I would ask them why they havn't been billing you for the Measured charges. They may have a reason. Raise it through their own escalation policy, and do this by post. Expect a response within 10 days, or 20 if they sub-reply.
Secondly if they fail to sort this out, you should contact CC Water (formally waterVoice) rather that Ofwat. You should ask for the difference between U/M and M charges for this period, as the water company have failed to comply with Ofwat set DG8 meter reading standards. You should also be entitled to a payment under GSS (guaranteed standards of service). You should base the difference on the average measured consumption for the number of occupiers against the rateable value u/m charges.
However, as the charges have been over 10 yrs, you really need to give let CCWater look at this in detail.
And get a meter reading...

bumblebea · 7th July 2007, 08:38

Many thanks for this reply. A couple of days ago I started on their 3 stage complaints procedure, which I think is necessary before contacting CC Water. This detailed info you have given me is just what I needed, very much appreciated.

bumblebea · 29th July 2007, 13:44

In case anyone is interested in how this ended, Southern Water replied to my complaint, pointing out how they written to me at the time, asking whether I wanted water at the metered rate, and sending me a copy of the letter. This was a letter from years ago that I had forgotten about and failed to reply to at the time. So the fault was all mine here, not Southern Water’s.

kasdizz · 10th August 2007, 22:13

Oh well, at leaast you go t to the bottom of it!

CAG Products - We think that these will help you to make your claim or Reclaim your Right These sales also help us to keep helping YOU and keeps this site free of third party adverts!

Small Claims Kit	Small Claims Court Guide New Edition	CallBurner - Skype CallRecorder Review	Last Will & Testament Kit	Fight a Motoring Ticket

Alternatively you could purchase a CAG email address here, or maybe you'd prefer our address labels here
UPDATE: Consumer Forums ConsumerWiki is now LIVE - click here: ConsumerWiki N.B. Please note - due to postage costs these products are only available in the U.K.