United Utilities and water bill

[simeon1964]

I moved into new house and I live alone since in May 2020

 

. I started to pay by standing order and 6month later I was told I owe money and must up it to £15p/m. and I did.

 

Later to another £25p/m around January 2022 and I did and requested to see itemised billing which was followed by a phone call to water office

 

To my surprised the itemised billing showing several hundreds of pounds owing. The lady on the phone was bullying me to effect a direct debit and that she needed minimum payment of £64.00 to bring my account to date.

 

When I asked what was wrong with standing order she authoritatively insisted that I must have DD in place. I promised I will get back to her but she was not having it, and I had to terminate the call. This was in May 2022.

 

Few days after our conversation I effect/increase my standing order to £65.00 P/month. I have not missed a payment.  

 

I now have a letter showing current balance owing at £128.66 with threat to pass my account to debt collector.

 

What are my options here please.

After debt collection what happens as they initially threatened to terminate my water supply, cancel my standing order and take me to court for recovery, now is passing my account to debt recovery. 

[AndyOrch]

Topic moved tot he appropriate forum....Utilities - Gas, Electricity, Water

 

Who is your water provider ?  Have you always paid by SO ?  Did your annual statement ever show any arrears ?

 

Andy

[simeon1964]

The water provider is United Utilities.

I have always been paying by standing order.

 

I took the initiative soon as I moved in in May 2020 to do standing order from the first demand seeking new occupier and I responded to start my payment by standing order.

 

I never received billing from the unless I ask for it. 

[AndyOrch]

Okay thanks....

 

Well I'm with the same utility company and I get an annual statement/bill (as required by law)...sets out what I have paid previous year and the next years advance payments expected and if the payment amount requires increasing or even decreasing which they do automatically by Direct Debit.

 

Any arrears are automatically reflected and collected in the new payments for the coming year..listed month by month.

 

When they first contacted you by " new occupier " letter,  you did contact them and set up your account ?

 

 

 

.

[AndyOrch]

Also states quite clearly they accept payment by Standing Order.

 

Pay your water bill | United Utilities

WWW.UNITEDUTILITIES.COM

---

Pay your water bill using My Account or via our app. Set up a direct debit or choose other ways to pay

 

And if you set up your account on line ......you can check it daily to the penny.

 

https://www.unitedutilities.com/your-questions-answered/my-account/how-can-i-request-a-paper-copy-of-my-bill/

 

 

 

.

[simeon1964]

I do not want to pay by DD. I worry sending my account to collection when they already requested £64p/month  and paying then £65.00

[Bazooka Boo]

Unfortunately for them YOU control your bank account not them.

 

DO NOT get bullied into paying them more money than you can afford, cancel any direct debit payment you've set up and start paying them by SO at a price YOU can afford.

 

And they CANNOT cut you off or terminate your water supply if you are living in the property.

 

You are paying them a fixed sum each month, which you need to reduce until they supply you with an accurate water bill,

and any talk by them about cutting you off or legal action is just BS.

[AndyOrch]

1 hour ago, simeon1964 said:

I do not want to pay by DD. I worry sending my account to collection when they already requested £64p/month  and paying then £65.00

 

We are not saying you do or have to have a DD...but you can still set up an account on line...then you can keep an eye on the balance and possibly find out where these arrears are coming from.

 

Do you not want to see your statements and have control ?

[simeon1964]

I will asking them for statement. Thanks

[dx100uk]

collections/DCA cant add anything and are NOT BAILIFFS.

 

next time dont ring them

writing only.

they cant cut you off - against your human rights!!

they will lie on the phone 

 

dx