5 year old water bill, do I have to pay?

[MatersMate]

So, I know I owed some on the water at my old address, but had a letter from debt collectors this morning (first letter about it ever ) saying they want £999!! Firstly I don't think that can possibly be right, and also I heard after 2 years they couldn't make you pay.

does anyone know? TIA

Its 6 years not 2,also there has to have been no contact about the debt whatsover in that 6 years,more info www.cleardebt.co.uk/debt-advice/downloadable-debt-help-guides/out-of-date-debt/ here.

It is 6 years for an unacknowledged debt to become statute barred. I expect the water company have been trying to track you down in the interim (presumably you are no longer a customer) and then enlisted the debt collector to do so via Electoral Roll etc. Call the water company , dispute the amount and ask to deal only with them.

www.cleardebt.co.uk/debt-advice/downloadable-debt-help-guides/out-of-date-debt/

Ok will do, thanks guys. What if the water co say they will no longer deal with me and to deal with debt co?

I don't think they can if you are offering to settle.

Does settle mean the full amount though? That's impossible right now,it's a grand ffs.

or negotiate a payment plan.

I had to deal with a debt collector over a mobile phone bill that ds run up,there is a lot of info over at the consumer forums.They send awful letters but unless its gone to court,they cant do a lot.Only offer to pay what you can afford even if you have to pay in monthly instalments.

Thanks LIZS I'll phone them Monday. Appreciate your advice :)

Has it gone to court or is it just DCA(debt collection agency) writing to you.

Just debt collection letter this morning Chanatan

If it hasnt gone to court then they cant send any bailiffs,they can threaten but its all bluff.

If you dont dispute you owe the money,then write to them offering a payment amount ,a monthly amount you can afford.

If you dispute the amount,google "Prove it letter" ,send them that and see what they say.

And I wouldnt phone them,they dont listen to you,they just read from a script and they will push you into a large monthly payment.They wanted £100 a month off ds ,we offered £20 and they settled at £30,remember they dont have any scruples and will bully you.

Right, thanks chanatan