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Apologies if this isnt the correct place to ask this, but currently in dispute with united utilities about this.

bought this house from my parents in Dec 2010, applied for a water metre which was fitted last feb, its now getting onto £47 a month so i rang up to turn it off, no problem was told to write in which i did.

rang today to see whats going on now as hadnt heard from them, and they're now saying it wasnt me who asked for the metre to be fitted it was a previous tennant so im now stuck with it,explained id lived here since i was 6 yrs old, parents had always been on rateable value etc. I rang up in dec when i took the house over, set it up in my name, asked for the metre etc then didnt hear anything till sep when i get a bill saying to the occupier, i ring up asking why my name isnt on the bill and they say well nobody has set up an account.

so because someone hasnt done they're job properly i had to spend 40 minutes screaming down the phone to get my own way. he then says at the end, ok well a reading will happen on 21st feb, then in the afternoon ill ersonally try to change you back to rateable value and if i cant do it on the system i dont know what we can do but ill call and let you know.

I know of friends who have rung up and had it done within a week or 2, its easy isnt it, do you think united utilities just taking the piss with me?

I find a very short businesslike letter is more effective than trying to deal with a call centre.

Though my experience is with Electrical rather than Water companies.

Hmmm you have 12 months to change your mind after getting a meter fitted, it sounds like they are trying to delay so they can say you took longer than 12 months <cynical emoticon>

Make sure you keep records of all your phone calls/emails/letters (best to do everything in writing if you can) so you can prove you asked to switch back within the 12 months.

Hi thanks,

Iv tried the letter approach since last september, as time was running out and they hadnt been in contact with me i'm now forced to stay on the phone for ages at a time, explaining the situation over and over again.

Im really stressed today over it though, had a migraine since i came off the phone so hey will be getting a "lovely" letter telling them what i think of their customer service staff!

I just didnt expect a fight over it, i was even offered a new deal by the manager to stay on a metre for the next 12 months then reassess, i said no i want it sorting out now, they're obviously on bonus' to keep people on metres for some reason, whoever thought of them needs shooting!

have a look at the bill or their website, it should outline the Complaints procedure and address. I reckon you need to enter it now.

Your next letter should be headed "Complaint: Account nnnnnnnn" which should trigger them to put it in the complaints log. Ask them to send your their Complaints leaflet. When it arrives you'll know they've read your letter.

"whoever thought of them needs shooting!"

Her name was Thatcher.