We are in a serious situation, UU sent a letter dated 14th Oct 2010 explaining they were writing to us after doing an audit of our property, it explains that when we moved into our property in 2002 they should have billed us for suface water and highway drainage charges and would we accept their apologies for them not doing so. It is a long letter which then goes on to say that they should have billed us from 2002 but will only require payment for the last six years dating back to April 2004 a sum of £5,921.20 We were never aware of any such charges and have always paid our water bills on time, there has never been any funds allocated for such an amount especially for a service we were unaware of. As we recovered from the shock of this, we researched this additional charge and since learned that it is a recent introduction. Now we understand this and accept this is part of our responsibilities, this is not in question, the problem is that they know we had no knowledge of this by way of their apology and yet expect a struggling business to have a cash surplus of almost £6,000.00 to pay for their mistake ! We would like the opportunity to go to court to check the legality of this demand, if it is proven that we have to pay all of the amount then all we ask is that they add it to the next 6 years therefore allowing the business to continue and people to keep their jobs. We have just recieved a letter from Concilia..........FINAL PAYMENT DEMAND if payment in full is not recieved it may result in United Utiities issuing a bankruptcy petition or a winding up order against the company PLEASE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS MATTER As we are a small family business, we are all at our wits end wondering how to overcome this, some staff are actively seeking work elsewhere in case we lose the business. Has anyone experienced a similar situation that can help us ?