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Original poster

Housing association wanting more money?

18 replies

louiipp · 20/12/2022 14:07

I pay my water included in my rent
Every month I pay £400
£40 is water
They told me to apply for a 50% water discount due to low income
I was awarded that and it was credited to my account
They tell me I still pay £400 a month..
I'm confused
If the Northumbrian water are discounting my water why am I still paying full water ?

OP posts:
Yesthatismychildsigh · 20/12/2022 14:08

Surely the people to ask would be your landlords. How can anyone here know?

Fleurdaisy · 20/12/2022 14:12

Put the matter in writing to your landlord. Email will do. State what you have done, the discount and awarded and you would like to know how to lower your payment to them. At the end state I would like an answer within 10 working days.

Original poster
louiipp · 20/12/2022 14:29

I've spoke to them who still no you still pay full water rates
Yet I'm getting a 50% reduction

OP posts:
HelsyQ · 20/12/2022 14:32

That’s so cheeky but maybe you should have confirmed the discount would be passed onto you before you agreed

PureBlackVoid · 20/12/2022 14:33

Which account does it get credited to?

Original poster
louiipp · 20/12/2022 14:36

It goes straight onto My rent account
They paid just short of £200 on there a week ago

OP posts:
PureBlackVoid · 20/12/2022 14:50

So is that backdated for 10 months? Will it now be a credit of £20 per month?

I’m wondering whether you will need to pay the same amount but then refund the credit that gets built up?

Original poster
louiipp · 20/12/2022 14:55

It's 10 months backdated
And Northumbrian water have said that HA will only be paying half my rates now
So that's why I'm confused

OP posts:
ItWasntMyFault · 20/12/2022 15:13

Are you behind on your rent? If so, that might be why.
If not, ask them how they calculated the £400.

MrsBrandonspiano · 20/12/2022 18:09

Just ring their contact centre and they will give you a breakdown of rent, water rates.

Original poster
louiipp · 20/12/2022 18:52

So what happens about the 10 months backdated that I've already paid
Do they get to keep that ?

OP posts:
Original poster
louiipp · 21/12/2022 11:35

So the water company have said it's for 10 months till March
My housing association are saying to pay the same
Even tho my water bill has now halved
I'm so confused
So for the past 6 months I've paid full water and now they have had a 50% refund too
Can anyone advise ?

OP posts:
Original poster
louiipp · 21/12/2022 11:55

Anyone ? Need someone to tell me I'm not confused

OP posts:
Helpmeunderstand67 · 21/12/2022 12:11

It could be for a number of reasons. Ask your HA for a rent statement, this will show a breakdown of your rent. (Check the water is showing as 50% off)
Are you in arrears? Most HA want tenants to be a month in advance so this may be why they want you paying the same to get you in advance?
I work for a HA- our rents increase every April, if yours does the same I would keep paying the same to build up some credit. Who knows what the increase will be! You can always get a refund if you end up with too much on your rent account.

Original poster
louiipp · 21/12/2022 12:13

@Helpmeunderstand67 what's the reason behind them wanting tenants to be a month in advance ?
Apart from the HA having every tenants extra month gaining interest for them?
I'm assuming that's one of the reasons?

I'm not sure if I'm in credit a month tbh I will have to double check my account

OP posts:
RagingWoke · 21/12/2022 12:46

You need to speak to your HA.
Some background that might be helpful (I used to work for a HA so have seen this before):
In 2016 there was a high court ruling where a London HA (Southwark I think) had not passed on discounts on water and sewage to tenants and were ordered to pay it back.
Again in 2020/21 another London HA hadn't passed on discounts and were ordered to pay tenants back what they had overpaid after the tenants took legal action.
Both cases it was a discount the HA obtained via contract with the water provider for collecting the rates but I would argue it's the same principle.

These are just the cases I remember from seeing the rulings at the time. You could start by contacting whoever you usually would about rent and then escalate if they can't resolve.

Helpmeunderstand67 · 21/12/2022 13:20

Its written in our tenancy agreements and I believe its incase you have financial difficulties later on.(job loss for example- benefit payments dont start for weeks after a claim)
Being in advance would prevent the account falling in arrears.
If they have backdated the water discount your rent account should show a credit has gone on, if it doesn't the HA may not have received this money back yet. I would definitely query if it doesn't show this. You should have a customer accounts officer? They would be who you need to contact.

Original poster
louiipp · 21/12/2022 13:23

@Helpmeunderstand67 yeah a credit has gone on,but I'm confused by that as I've already paid the months full water and they've received a credit ..so surely they should owe me that? As I've already paid that to them

OP posts:
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