Water companies can no longer disconnect a domestic supply if you fall behind with the payments. Water rates arrears, therefore, should not be treated as a priority debt. However, water companies may take you to court and get a county court judgment against you if you do not make an arrangement to pay off any arrears owed to them.
Paying your bill - general information
Water bills are normally paid twice a year. It might suit you better to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly. You can arrange this by ringing the number on your bill.
Unlike most other non-priority debts, your water supply will continue as an ongoing service, even if you are in arrears. You should, therefore, budget a realistic amount to cover your regular use of water.
If you do not have a water meter and live in a small household, you may save money by having a water meter fitted. You have the option of going back to your current bills if this does not work out for you.
Making an arrangement to pay off the arrears
You should try to make an agreement with your water company. As long as you keep up with the payments for this year's water and an amount you can sensibly afford off the arrears, there should be no problem.
Remember, your offer needs to be realistic for you - be sure you can keep up with the repayments offered without getting into debt with something else.
To work out how much you can afford you need to see how much money you have coming in and how much you need to live on each week or month. Use only the money that is left over to decide how much you can pay.
Don't forget to keep copies of all letters received from and sent to your water company. If you reach an agreement to repay the arrears make sure you have the agreement in writing.
If you are finding it difficult to negotiate, you should get help from a Debt Adviser.
What if I get taken to court?
Don't panic if the company takes you to court. The court should make an order you can afford to pay. If it doesn't, you can ask for it to be changed later.
If you do get a county court judgment and have other debts, as long as your total debt is under £5000 you may be able apply for something called an Administration Order. This is where you make one payment to the court to cover all your debts.
What if I get Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance?
You can sometimes have the money for water rates, plus a set amount for the arrears, stopped from your benefit and paid direct to the company. Ask at your Jobcentre Plus office about this, or contact a Debt Adviser for more details. However, be aware that the amount taken to pay the arrears may be more than you can afford. You may be able to negotiate smaller payments by other methods.
Help from United Utilities
If you live in Manchester then your water is probably provided by United Utilities (external website). United Utilities operates an Arrears Allowance Scheme (external website). This scheme adds an extra reduction to your arrears every time you make a payment so you can repay the arrears faster.
The scheme is open to:
- State pensioners
- Lone parents
- Long-term disabled or sick
- Long-term unemployed
- People on Income Support
- People in multiple debt
If you have a disability or have a large family you might qualify for a scheme called Watersure which may reduce your bill.
There is also a United Utilities Trust Fund (external website) that can give grants to clear water and other utilities debts.
You can contact United Utilities by telephoning: 0845 746 2200.
Making a Complaint
If you have a complaint about your water supplier, you can get help from the Consumer Council for Water
Information on other websites
United Utilities
Help to pay your bill
National Debtline
Water rates and new rules
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email
Information Provider:
Manchester Advice
Date Written:
8 April 2005
Date Reviewed:
5 November 2008
This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
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