Where Do I Stand With The Water Board?

[spurious]

Any help from anyone here would be very much appreciated.

I am in my own rented apartment, and I moved in on 23rd February. A few days later I phoned United Utilities and told them, but the building is classified 'new build' so all the occupants are first time occupants and U.U. have to set up new accounts for everyone. They told me it would take roughly three months.

Knowing what companies are like, I frequently checked up and was told that I'd hear something within two weeks, every time I called. It's now four and a half months and I've heard nothing. I'm moving out of the property at the end of next month, and if I can't show that I've paid for the utilities, I don't get my deposit back.

I phoned them today and was told that although the request to set up the account was "sent through" on March 13th, precisely nothing has been done about it, and they'll have to do it again. I'm now told the whole procedure will take twenty one days. Needless to say, I'm a little skeptical.

So where do I stand? What action can and should I take, if any?

[demon_x_slash]

Excuse me, but the utility bills have nothing to do with getting your deposit back. As long as the bills were not in the landlord's name, then the landlord is not liable for any debt accrued. They cannot make proof of payment of bills a condition of returning the deposit; it can only be kept for provable damage and dilapidations (and when I say provable, I mean where there is an entry and exit inventory, and receipts and invoices to back up the work supposedly needed). Unfortunately the Tenancy Deposit Scheme started in April, so yours won't be covered by any sort of official scheme, but there are still laws that the landlord has to follow. If you need any help getting your fair portion of the deposit back after the end of your tenancy, start a new thread in Landlords & Tenants and someone'll take a look. Hope that helps.

[spurious]

Thanks very much for that Demon, that's really helpful.

I'd still like to know where I stand with the water board though, independently from where I stand with my landlord.

[kasdizz]

You will of course be liable for charges from when you moved in, probably using an Assessed Volume Charge (or equivalent) if a meter has not yet been installed. If one has then get a reading immediately, and ask the water company to find the account details they have it linked to.

I'm unsure as to the exact regulations for new connections set ups under the Water Act etc, and I'll have to look it up. I suspect that they may have failed this though.

I'd outline the date that you informed United Utilities of your occupation in a letter to them, stating that you wish this raised as a complaint. That should get a response. If not then send them payment based on occupancy assessed volume charge rates/metered water and sewerage charges that their charges scheme will provide. Or go to CCWater for advice.

Rule of thumb with water companies (and all statutory charge utilities companies)= if in doubt, refer to their charges scheme 'cos that's the contract eqiuivalent.

Hope that helps.