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Hello,
I have just texted my daughter to find out...
Just to let you know I am still awaiting the information you asked for from my daughter and I will come back to you as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience.
Hello again.
I now have been sent two bills from Southern Water, one dated 20/06/13 which is the first my daughter's boyfriend received for 8 years or so, stating charge for period 08/04/13 to 20/06/13 is £118.92 and that "balance from previuos bill" is £4,655.86. Next bill is dated 19/06/14, for period 27/11/13 to 19/06/14, showing balance brought forward £4,571.91 and charge for 27/11/13 to 19/06/14 is £308.72.
It is highly unlikely in my experience that any utility company would let such a large bill accumulate without taking action, so to receive a demand out of the blue after 8 years for £4,000 plus seems odd. A company called UK Search has written to them to say they are now taking over the matter and that a doorstep collector will be visiting their home to collect payment. The first letter from UK Search is dated 6/12/13 and the second 3/2/14. The boyfriend has admittedly buried his head in the sand since receiving the first £4000+ bill as he is unemployed and couldn't possibly pay. What should he do now? Does the Limitation Act 1980 apply? As stated, he had not received a bill for 8 years prior to June 2013 (which would fit in with the sudden charge of £4,000 as an annual estimated usage of water, perhaps.) Please can you help? Thank you!
I look forward to hearing from you.........
I am still awaiting a reply. !!!
Hello, I understand that nothing was received from Southern Water in the 8 years prior to contact in June 2013. The bill received then just says "balance carried forward" but not from what date. I assume that this must the accumulated charge over the preceding 8 years.
Thank you for your patience!
Thank you very much. I am not sure what happens with regard to charges that have arisen since the 8 year period - which no doubt Southern Water will say have accumulated. I assume that although they had not been asked for, the charges will be due. I can only hope there is some comeback against Southern Water for leaving their claim for so long, to accumulate to such a high figure before demanding payment. Surely they have a responsibility to keep customers advised of accruing charges, and by leaving it so long, are they not compounding the problem? It seems gross incompetence on their part.