Can I refuse to pay the water bill?
Since the UN convention on Human Rights states that everyone has a right to have free access to water, would this mean it's okay not to pay the water bill? I'm being fleeced for something that is a basic human right! Will I get in trouble if I refuse to pay?
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Can you post a link to this ?
I find this very difficult to believe. Anyway, I think everyone should pay something for the water one pollutes.
Not something I'd want on my credit report though.
However, they may be able to deduct your unpaid bill directly from your salary or from your rent payments (if you live in council housing).
It is true, find it on Google if you want
stvn758 I guess they're not allowed to cut you off because water is a basic human right and has to be free to all, then? I really don't want to pay this bill. My credit report is shot to bits anyway so it wouldn't make any difference.
Yes of course you can.
Do you like porridge?
Big difference.
Deductions from rent payments is not possible. LA's are merely responsible for providing the stock and connections for services but are not responsible for their tenants paying their utilities bills.
If a tenant chooses not to pay their bills then they face the consequence of disconnection or recovery action.. It is nothing to do with the Council.
You seem to think that you deserve to have an easy ride taking out credit cards you can't afford to pay for and expecting banks to lend you money for your whims. I'm not sure why you choose to post about it, you clearly think you are right and are not open to the other comments. Go ahead, try and get as much out of life at no cost to you(just the other honest people who are charged more because of it). But for god's sake shut up about it!
I too have an appalling credit following debt (my own fault, I hasten to admit.)
They won't cut you off. BUT you will be making your rating worse, which means that it will affect you for longer. Just phone the company, say you're having problems and can you work out some type of payment plan with them.
I googled for 10 mins and the only thing I can find is that it is a human right to have acces to water. However, it doesn't say 'free' access to water.
I've just Googled and checked up on this... If your unable to work (or find work) and living in council accomodation, your rent is paid by the D.S.S. This scenario is the same across the country...
Now, in Bolton, if you refuse to pay your water bill, United Utilities have the authority to contact your local D.S.S. office and deduct repayment from your benefits. I guess "rent" was the wrong word. I don't know how they know which council tenants are within receipt of benefits and which aren't.
I don't know of any water authority which is allowed to disconnect a non-paying user.
This link alludes to Oldham (also in Greater Manchester): http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:Fcbq6poUB54J:www.oldham.gov.uk/ocfs-soc-wr2.pdf+%22United+Utilities%22+deduct+benefits&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=6
Gas and electricity companies can send around the local distribution engineers to cut off your power supplies. But water authorities can't cut off your water supply. You could end up in prison though.
Are you being unreasonably fleeced i.e. paying more than your next door neighbour, or are you just being fleeced the same as the rest of us are?
I'm just wondering what your justification is for not paying for something that has been prepared so that it is safe enough for you to use?
Who do you suggest should pay for collecting the water, treating it to make sure you don't contract all sorts of unpleasant illnesses from bacteria which would otherwise be in it, transporting it to your house and then saving you the bother of removing all sewage from your property afterwards? These things do cost money you know.
You would however still be liable for the bill for the supply which you have had up to date.
My suggestion would be to pay monthly instalments on your water bill, the same as most other people do.
Chie, who made a post about asking if it was right to commit benefit fraud, admitted to owing huge amounts on credit cards and store cards, and now wants free water :eek:
What the heck does she think the rest of us do? we have to work hard and pay bills, yes admitedly the water is to be honest unreasonably high. But we HAVE to pay it.
Please chie, think before you post, people do not like spongers who want everything for free. Go out get a job and quit whinging. By all means refuse to pay, but then watch your benefits drop as they take it out of your money.
It is a fixed charge which is collected as part of the Council Tax. If I was to not pay it I would get the Council Tax people coming after me threatening court proceedings.
Easy really. If tenants are on Income Support or other benefits which entitle them to Housing and Council Tax Benefit then the Water Board will usually advise the customer that they can deduct direct from source (if they are willing) and if they do it in a particular area.
Although one question that begs to be asked is, if you don't wish to pay your water bill, why should anyone?