Welsh water are ripping me off

[Matthew31]

What can I do?

 

When I first moved here last year, I gathered the landlord had passed my details on to the water company

like they did for gas and electricity.

 

Back in Jan, I had a letter from Welsh Water addressed to the occupier/owner

which pretty much said that they believe the property to be empty

and if so could I contact them and ask them to cut off the water to prevent leaks if a pipe burst.

 

I did the right thing and got in touch with them,

said the date I moved in and explained that my landlord clearly didn't pass my details onto them.

 

 

For my honesty, they then issued me with a ridiculously high backdated bill

which runs from August last year right up until something like march next year

(So contains what I owe backdated and the yearly rate).

 

Unfortunately this estimated usage rate is nowhere near a fair amount.

I am a single person living in a 1 bedroom property, that only has the washing machine on twice per week at most

and only has 1 bath per week here (Because I hate baths and don't have a shower.

I just go to another persons home for showers).

 

Their estimated usage amount is around the £40 a month mark.

I am a very eco friendly person which is reflected in my gas and electric

(which cost's me less than £20 a month for both).

 

Now, I am in the process of having a water meter installed.

While I wait though I am having over £70 a month taken off me via direct debit.

 

I asked them via email, that if when I have a water meter installed,

the accurate bill for first 3 months is considerably lower than the estimate,

would they refund me the amount I have been overpaying?

They said no.

 

Can they actually do this?

Is there any way to get my money back that has already been paid

once the water meter proves my usage is significantly less than what they estimated?

 

Thanks