Water Board sent us to debt collectors during a dispute.

A question about : Water Board sent us to debt collectors during a dispute.

Hi there,

I was wondering if anyone could give us some advice?

We had to move out of our (rented) property in May this year, so we're temporarily living with family whilst we're sorting out somewhere else to live.

We got a final bill from Southern Water for Ј237.92 which covered about 4 months, the bills before this weren't anywhere near as high but they had slowly increased since we'd been there. Didn't think much of the increase in the other bills but a few weeks before we were asked to leave we noticed there was a water ingress coming up through the kitchen floor tiles in the middle of the kitchen...!

We emailed Southern Water and told them we're disputing this final bill due to the fact there was a water ingress in the kitchen. We're a family of three (due to be four in about 4 weeks time) and have always been very careful with the amount of water we used. The final bill said we were using X amount of units per day which was the equivalent of a four person household (inc 3 adults...) when we're two adult and a 3 year old...

They acknowledged that there was an issue so said they'd look into it by asking the landlord to gain entry etc. Haven't heard anything since middle of June, until we got a letter from Advantis debt collecting agency (dated 28th October) trying to recover the debt..!

I'm fuming about this as we've been waiting for them in investigate the issue, now they've sent us to debt collectors for the outstanding amount..?! Can anyone give us some advice as to how we should proceed? I know from experience, not to call anyone and to get everything in writing but I don't know who we should contact first....

Best answers:

• Can someone please help?!
• Contact the Consumer Council for Water - it is their job to sort out disputes, and they are very good. A phone call will normally suffice, but ensure you have all details to hand.
  https://www.ccwater.org.uk/
• Was the (probable) leak on the consumer side of the meter?
  Did you report it to the landlord in writing?
• OP,
  I would add that if it was a leak, the issue is between you and the landlord and as the bill is in your name, you are responsible.
  However most companies will give a once only 'goodwill' allowance; especially since they stated:
  Quote: