No Water Bill For 3 Years

[dvoom]

Hello All.

We moved into a new flat in July 2005, and we are in the process of moving, during which time it has come to light that we've never had a water bill, and Thames Water didn't know our address existed. So, they are investigating, and the meter was read this morning, and it will be read again next week, and they say they will work out 3 years bills from that. However, it's now the summer holidays, we look after another 2 children in the daytime, as well as our own 2, plus we've only had a dishwasher for the last year. Looks like it's going to be expensive.

Any advice please?


Thanks....

[Bigmac versus]

Well it isnt a fair reflecton of your water usage so why did you agree to them testing the week in question. Call them and explain the circumstances in why this test would be unsuitable just now due to more than the average usage and see what they say. Dishwasher/dishwashing in the sink no difference.

[pelham9]

When was the meter fitted?

You say new house but was it new build. If so the meter should have been fitted and nearly zero when you moved in and an exact bill can be got from this. If not new build perhaps the previous occupants took a meter reading. Point out to them that if the meter was fitted since you moved in they have NO evidence that any water was used let alone an average amount before the fitting but you will agree to a reasonable average..

An average of only one weeks usage is totally unfair but it is a short time to use no or at least minimum water. ( no baths, no washing, do not flush when you only have a pee, no hosepipe usage etc). Start now Perhaps you can live elsewhere for a week? That will fix them. Certainly make sure you have no visitors while the are getting the average.

The other tack is to insist on at least one month and then go on holiday during the time they are taking an average.!!

Insist that as the average per day cannot have been used while you were away from the premises that those days are taken as zero usage.

It beats me how (and this has happenrd to me) a flat which is connected to the main water supply cannot be on there books. Builders have to get permission from the water company to connect and that connection must be inspected to make sure there are no leaks pre meter and to make sure there is no contamination of the supply. Alll new builds must have a meter fitted ( unless it is not possible) so if the meter was fitted late push them hard on the reasons for this.

[dvoom]

Originally Posted by Bigmac versus

Well it isnt a fair reflecton of your water usage so why did you agree to them testing the week in question.

I didn't agree to it, the bloke who read the meter said that's what was happening, but I shall let them know I'm not happy with them using this method to work out the bill.

Originally Posted by pelham9

When was the meter fitted?

You say new house but was it new build. If so the meter should have been fitted and nearly zero when you moved in and an exact bill can be got from this.

It was new build, we were the first occupiers. A further complication is that it turns out the meters for the block are identified by the plot number and not the flat number. So they had to check some other flats too.

I've read somewhere about the liability for bills in cases like this being limited to 1 or 2 years, is that right? And also that you have as long to pay it back as the length of the bill? i.e. in this case 3 years.

Thanks

dvoom

[pelham9]

Unfortunately the one year rule only applies to gas and electiricity.

[pelham9]

Whatever the period that they use for averaging there is nothing to stop you from being as economical as possible with water during during that period.

So the sequence of events was as followed.

You moved into a new build. There was no water meter fitted. Eventually they fitted a meter and are trying to charge you for water and sewage for the unmetered period. They are proposing a one week average to do this.

My own feeling is that Thames Water have acted unlawfully by not fitting the meter before you moved in. The sensible sanction for this behaviour is that they should lose out on the amounts that depend on meter readings. You should offer to pay the standing charges and surface water charges but not water and sewerage charges.

I am writing a letter to the regulator on my situation which ia identical to yours. This may be a long-drawn out process! but I will post when I hear anything

[dvoom]

Originally Posted by pelham9

So the sequence of events was as followed.

You moved into a new build. There was no water meter fitted.

Thanks for the replies Pelham9, it's very much appreciated.
There was a meter fitted, but it turns out the property was somehow not registered with Thames Water, despite me among other things, informing them in writing. Hence no bill.

[pelham9]

So the meter was there when you moved in and as you were the first occupant the meter was then around zero. There might have been some usage by builders, agents and people looking round the flat before you moved in. Make an estimate of this.

However there appears to be a perfectly valid record of the maximum amount of water you could have used. I cannot see that there is any reason for a bill based on an average usage.

I would use as little water as possible during this averaging period and await their bill. In the meantime work out the bill on the actual reading yourself. Bearing in mind that you think your usage has increased you should apportion the usage equally over the period so you get an advantage of lower tarriffs in the earlier years. If their bill is more than yours challenge them and they may well be happy to accept yours.

You are going to have to pay something in the end but whatever it is you can spread the amount over three years.

It would be a good idea to be certain the meter being read is indeed yours. Make sure that no water is being used and watch the meter when somone else turns on and off the tap or pulls the chain.If the meter moves it is yours.

[Heathliver]

I thought you might live in Ipswich, until I saw Thames Water. There was a whole development of flats here that the water meters, although labeled, Anglian said could not be identified. They are still trying to sort the mess out 3 years later. Considering the development had a highly transient population (buy to lets and social housing) I'm glad I didn't have that job. LOL

[pelham9]

It is perfectly easy to identify the meters that supply a set of flats by doing usage tests in each flat. The problem with this is that the water company employees appear to be computer and desk bound and are unable or unwilling to do site visits. They sit in their offices hoping that the customer will sort their mess out for them.

[Lula]

I have to say that the average dishwasher uses about 18 litres of water per cycle, I must have saved a fortune on our water bill because I can assure you that I used a hell of alot more than that when I did it by hand and I was washing up up to 6 times a day, I would do what the others suggest though, be VERY economical with water for the next week or so and let them work it out that way.

[dvoom]

OK, to update, this week I received a bill for £570 for 3 years water, I called them to arrange a payment plan, and the longest time they have offered me is 14 months to repay.
Shouldn't I be able to pay back over 3 years?

[pelham9]

Yes it is reasonable to insist that that you should pay over 3 years.

What I would do is to cancel any direct debit if you have one and pay the new bill on every six month anniversary of you moving in together of course with the back payment. It will take them time to understand what you are doing. Give them a meter reading before each bill is due. They will probably make a fuss but what you are doing is reasonable and though they may threaten court they would be very foolish to litigate.

The important thing is not to let them dictate to you. Be very firm with them.