Severn Trent Water Supply - Billed from 2007 to date!

[mitesh1979]

Hi all,

I have recently received a bill for Water supply at an old address. I lived there for a year, between 2007 and 2008. The flat was rented.

The invoice I have from Severn Trent is for £2700, for Water Charges from 2007 to date!

I have spoken with them and all I am getting back is that they need proof of the dates I was resident there, before they resume sending letters from debt collection agencies.

I have no paperwork from back then and no details for the landlord.

What can I do ?

Please help!

[des8]

Re: Severn Trent Water Supply - Billed from 2007 to date!

First rule is don't phone, write only and get at least proof of posting (although I prefer recorded signed for delivery).
Don;t understand why they need proof of your residency at that address, surely they are looking for proof you weren't there.
How far back do your records go?
Do you have banking records?/ tax records?/ driving licence?/ passport?/ other utility records? that would show change of address and could be submitted in support

[mitesh1979]

Re: Severn Trent Water Supply - Billed from 2007 to date!

Hi des8. Thanks for the reply

I have no paperwork. To cut it short, relationship issues that caused me to move back in with my family in August 2008. I then left the UK in March 2009 to work on board cruise ships until early 2011. No changes to any paperwork other than drivers licence which was changed to my family address in Derby and then to my current address in Kettering.

You're right about the proof of residency, I need to prove that I haven't lived there since August 2008. Just no idea on how to go about it.

[des8]

Re: Severn Trent Water Supply - Billed from 2007 to date!

Are there no employment records/ income tax records?
The only other suggestion I have is a Statutory Declaration .
Others hopefully will come along with other suggestions

[mitesh1979]

Re: Severn Trent Water Supply - Billed from 2007 to date!

I have requested my employment records for my time at sea. Not sure how much weight they would carry mind.

Tax wise I have nothing until 2011 as it's tax free working at sea.

How would I go about putting a Statutory Declaration together ?

Thanks for your help on this, has caused a few sleepless nights at home seeing as it came through the same day we booked our wedding!

[des8]

Re: Severn Trent Water Supply - Billed from 2007 to date!

Congratulations on forthcoming nuptials
OF course the onus is on the water company to prove your liability, but it can be a lot less stressful to head them off

Re the declaration word it along following lines:

I, [First Name] [Surname] of [Address] do solemnly and sincerely declare as follows:

Then insert statement declaring you left the flat, detailing address, at date,.
I then resided at (insert address) with (name members of family until date.
I then worked on cruise ships (name ships, line and employer etc if known)until
I then resided at(insert address)etc etc

I make this solemn declaration believing the same to be true and by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835
Signed: [your signature]

Declared at: [Solicitors Address]
On this [Day] Day of [Month/Year]

Before me,
[solicitors signature]

[Solicitor’s Name, Occupation, Address]

You then pop down to your local solicitors with change (cost probably less than £10)

[mitesh1979]

Re: Severn Trent Water Supply - Billed from 2007 to date!

That's great, many thanks for your help