It is long, I am about to rant. If you make it as far as the bottom feel free to comment.
18 months ago we changed from rates to water meter in an attempt to save money. Our rates were £45 (now like £50 or so) and we were anticipating getting our water down to about £25-£30, the average we were told for 2 adults was £25 so we thought, with DD, would be a touch higher.
I had an outstanding amount of around £50 or so brought across, and set up a direct debit of £30.
We live in a two bed flat, my DH, me and DD aged now 2.8. We shower probably every other day, using a non-power shower. DD mostly jumps in the bath at the same time and plays in the water we use. Occasionally (perhaps once a week?) she has a small bath of her own. We bath occasionally too, share the water with each other and DD. We do not flush each time we pee. We use the washing machine every other day, using economy settings. We do not run the water when we wash clean our teeth, do not have dripping taps, re-use bath water to water plants.
We have just received a letter from South West Water stating our DD is going up to £69 per month .
Apparantly we have an outstanding balance of £312, and this is to clear the debt. Apparantly our water consumption is £41 per month. So, therefore neither the DD, or the outstanding amount makes sense.
If we pay £30, and our usage is £41, then we owe £198 (? thereabouts), not £312. So there is a difference of £114. She said it also reflected a rise of 4.8% (which I did not know about).
She then said there was an outstanding debt of £300 from prior to the meter being installed. I said that still not make sense. Firstly I did not owe this money, and secondly if I did, I would by their own calculations then owe £498, not £312!
I asked her where this alleged debt came from, she said prior to the meter being installed. I asked when, she said she did not know. I asked her to find out. She asked for what period did I want to know. I said as far as it goes until my account was Zero balance. She went off, came back, said, they can't go that far; she is only able to go back as far as 2007. I said in that case, i would use my rights to request my information as per Data Protection Act, as they cannot demand money from me if they cannot evidence that I actually owe it.
I told them in the meantime I will cancel my DD and pay £41 per month manually. She said they would chase me for the outstanding balance. I said if I got evidence (which I know they cannot give me) I owe them the money I would pay it, if not, they can take me to court and prove it to the court - which would them show they lied to me either way I wont pay them £69 per month for water I hardly use. I said that my calculations, taking off this alleged £300 owed, means I owe £312, minus £300, plus £50. So I owe them £72, but as I am now disputing it they can wait for it.
So I am I being unreasonable to think they are greedy bastards?
Rant over. For now.