Water bill?

[tiredvendorbattybuyer]

Change if isername to reflect the situation; just after some advice/confirmation really!

In the process of selling the house to a batty older woman who seems to have no concept of chains, house sales, or what is normal process. (DP mentioned the chain to her when she came to collect a letter from us that was addressed to her?! and she didn't have a clue what he was going on about, and that it wouldn't just be as simple as her and us agreeing a date - we need to involve her buyer and the one below....)

Today I have a text from her asking for a copy of the water bill as "they" have asked for it.

Currently awaiting a response to - who wants it and why.

I don't remember needing a copy of a bill when we bought the house; from memory it was a case of notifying them once we moved in and the people we bought from had already done the same with their leaving dates and meter readings!

Between this and her "internet box" now sitting in our hallway, I am slightly concerned she is meddling and will be effing things up before we have an exchange date let alone completion date!

Any (more recent) opinions/views out there?

Don't know who 'they' are, but purchaser can ask whatever they want - you don't have to supply an answer, but it helps. Many people find it handy to know the rough cost of utility bills. I wouldn't have a problem supplying a copy.

We actually asked for a copy ourselves as drains are shown as private on our deeds and search came up with no confirmation of adoption - really helped us as bill showed payment to water authority for drainage showing it had been adopted.

If your buyer calls the water company, they will confirm the basis of charge on your property (meter or water rates). If there is no meter they should be able to confirm the annual cost, if there is a meter the average cost for the number of people living at the house (not the actual bill amounts). This is allowed under GDPR so you should not be bothered over this matter.

Ok, thanks for the confirmation - I have no idea who the "they" asking is and as yet have had no reply from the purchaser to clarify.

I will see what Monday brings and be open to providing it for the purchaser.

Just seemed odd/out of the blue, and was worried they are trying to preempt moving without having a date yet, as shown by signing up to the internet before we have a date, which I am also worried will interfere with my internet provision before we hit exchange/completion

I would suggest saying she needs to direct all requests for documentation through the solicitors. This is a legal process and I feel you open yourself up to all kinds of risks by doing extra business on the side. It can be helpful to have some kind of direct communication, but only verbal. I definitely wouldn't supply additional documentation without the legal oversight.

Given what you describe, it does sound as though she might be setting up a water account at your address and the company have asked for a final reading, or similar. If it's all nothing to worry about, then she can still have the documentation - but if she's getting ahead of herself at least her solicitor might be able to explain why it's inappropriate.

@Tupster I've ensured that everything I have sent or discussed has been summarised in an email to her, my solicitor and the estate agents sale progressor so there's nothing under the table/not accounted for.

That's certainly my worry as it's almost exactly what has happened with the internet - she has had her welcome letter, and gleefully informed me last week that she has told the internet people a date for the end of May as that was the furthest ahead they would let her nominate for a switch over date.

I don't want to be obstructive but equally am wary and don't want to help her bypass things and mess my bills/services up!