Anglian water threatening action - ** RESOLVED **

[Daz1979]

I received a letter from Anglian water threatening recovery action as I 'haven't paid my bill'

even though I requested a payment card so I can pay what I can afford and am currently making payments to them.

 

I sent a email of complaint to them (their offices are closed and I'm currently working shifts during their opening hours which is convenient)

along with a copy of a letter from my gp stating that I suffer with anxiety and depression.

 

Any extra help/advice would be good as this is causing me a lot of stress which is a shame as I was starting to get back on my feet and start getting more work.

[Daz1979]

It is for this year and I have got the payment card and so far have paid £60 in 6 weeks (which is on average £10 a week).

 

As far as not needing to tell them about my anxiety and depression goes,

a colleague who works in the same factory of my brother owed £2000 on a water meter (same water company as myself)

and they said the bill was correct.

 

He was threatening suicide down the phone to them (even going as far as hanging himself while on the phone to them)

before they delved into it and found that it was an admin error.

 

Obviously I'm not going to go to those sort of extremes but it shows that sometimes a company needs a major jolt

to be aware of their own actions when dealing with people who are unwell or when they have stressed someone out...

[Daz1979]

I got this one sorted anyway, they agreed to put me on a cheaper tariff and knocked it down to a much lower figure.

[Daz1979]

They were becoming threatening as I was paying them a lower amount

and were becoming impatient and they weren't getting what they wanted me to pay them

even though I told them what I could afford and what I would be paying over 12 months.

 

I told them that I needed a lower amount and for them to adjust the bill as their actions were causing me to become very unwell

because of their behaviour (I suffer with depression, anxiety and stress).

They then willingly adjusted it once they realised what they were doing.

 

Obviously I wouldn't advise everyone to be claiming to suffer mental illness when the water bill comes in

(mine was genuine) but if anyone is becoming stressed then make them aware of it,

esp if they start making threats.

 

Some water companies seem to have low use tariffs

- for example single people living alone

- which is worth exploring if you can't get a meter fitted

(I couldn't because of the way my property is designed).

[Daz1979]

The water was included with my rent to start with but then the 2 were separated and AW started demanding a higher amount.

[Daz1979]

It was included with the rent.

[Daz1979]

Council property.