Thames Water's charges on my empty property

[Poppy]

My least favourite utility company is Thames Water (or I suppose every water company).

During a void of 6 weeks, 1 unit of gas was used and 4 units of electricity. That will cost pence.

What do the water people want to charge for this unmetered property? £38. I said "I'm offering you £10". The guy at the other end of the phone says I will be chased for the remainder. I told him that they will more than spend £28 chasing me for any balance - I'll make sure of that.

For goodness sake even the dreaded council tax is reduced by 50%.

I need help to p1ss them off. Do you have an opinion to offer me please?

[justaboutsane]

If it was empty no water was used therefore NO monies are due!

[lawstudent]

pissing them off won't help - but insisting that the property was empty as evidenced by gas/electricity and council tax bills, might just persuade them to relent. Do not do it by phone - write to the customer relations manager and enclose the evidence. And get a water meter. Good luck.

[Ericthelobster]

During a void of 6 weeks, 1 unit of gas was used and 4 units of electricity. That will cost pence.

What do the water people want to charge for this unmetered property? £38.I can't believe that's right. All my properties are with United Utilities, and they don't charge anything at all for when a property is vacant. I'm in the midst of a total refurb on one wreck at the moment, and the arrangement is that I paid a flat fee of around 20 quid for "building water", which lasts until someone's living there again.

Mind you - you are talking about Thames Water, aren't you? :eek:

[justaboutsane]

Thames water who make massive profits fail to sort leaks and impose water restrictions on the ppl who pay the bills pay massive dividends and get fined pennies!.. would not touch them with a barge pole.. but then I don't have to!

[Amanda]

I have previously dealt with Thames Water and when i have moved tenants out i tell them the property is empty and unfurnished. They have never charged me for these vacant periods. Do they know its rented? Did you maybe get someone on th ephone who was feeling less than helpful? I'd give it another go if i were you - in my experience you can get some very helpful workers in these call centres and others that can barely answer the phone!

Good luck!