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Water Rates

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Your water company can, as a last resort, cut off your supply to your business premises if you do not pay your bills.

They cannot disconnect a domestic water supply. However, if you are in difficulty, ask to pay your bills weekly, fortnightly or monthly to suit your budgeting.

If you have arrears, you will normally be expected to repay them before the next bill is sent. Use your business and household budget to make arrangements to pay the arrears.

You should allow for the current water rates in the outgoings section of your budget as this is an ongoing bill. You can then make an offer towards the arrears as a secondary creditor for domestic supply as you cannot be cut off.

If you don’t pay, the water company will send you a county court claim form (see section on court action).The court is likely to let you pay a monthly amount that you can afford. However, you will be expected to pay next year’s water bill within the normal time limit.

Remember to say which bill the payment is for when making the payment – be careful not to get payment books for different years mixed up.

For non-domestic premises, your water company will write to give you a date when your water will be cut off. Contact the company immediately and start paying the amount on your present bill plus an amount you can afford off the arrears.

You will usually be able to make an arrangement to pay off the arrears even at this stage.

If at this stage your water company asks you to pay more than you can afford, phone us for advice.


In extreme cases, the environmental risk of your business being without water could lead to you being evicted whether you own or rent.


If you have a complaint about the way your water company is dealing with your arrears, contact OFWAT,the regulatory body for water. OFWAT guidelines say the company shouldtake your circumstances into account when making an arrangement to pay. If you wish to complain about your water company, contact your regional Consumer Council for Water, who represent consumers of water and sewerage in England and Wales. Details can be found at www.ofwat.gov.uk  who will look in to your complaint about the watercompany. See your local phone book for your regional contact number.

 

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