interestrateripoff Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/busi...icle4376847.ece Severn Trent, the UK's second largest water company, today admitted it is concerned that cash-strapped customers may soon struggle to pay their water bills.The company, which has more than 8 million customers, mainly in the Midlands, warned that although it had not yet experienced any serious payment problems, the issue remained a risk for the rest of the year. Severn Trent said: "Given the current economic climate we continue to closely monitor our customer debt and cash-collection performance. "Whilst we have not experienced any material deterioration over the period to date, this remains a risk to our outlook over the remainder of the year.” Bad customer debts are a major concern to water companies after a Labour Party manifesto pledge in 1997 made it illegal for utilities to cut off customers’ water supply even if they failed to pay their bills. In the year to March 31, Severn Trent wrote off £22.7 million, up from £22.3 million, on what the company calls “doubtful debts", including those of customers who cannot pay. The number of days it took the company’s debtors to pay was 37.4 days, down from 37.5 days. Severn Trent has not published any updated figures and a spokeswomen for the company said it would continue to monitor the situation closely. Not like the US then where you do get cut off. If you can't get cut off will people stop paying when it comes to the crunch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sortofsilver Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 They may not be able to cut you off but they will restrict your water flow to a tiny trickle. Fill a kettle in an hour if your lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
interestrateripoff Posted July 22, 2008 Author Share Posted July 22, 2008 They may not be able to cut you off but they will restrict your water flow to a tiny trickle. Fill a kettle in an hour if your lucky. Flushing the toilet would be a problem then!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Its time to buy Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Well the answer would be to leave your tap on overnight to fill big water butts [you still got them havent you HPC tinfoil hat wearers?] that you bought in the last summer hose pipe ban/shortage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnybegood Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 They can't cut you off but they can still send in the debt collectors. This I would of thought would lead to your credit rating being affected, which in turn in the current and future climate may make ever getting a mortgage impossible. Must say though, i think water rates are a rip off, £43 a month. With all those not paying and debt being written off I suppose it is little wonder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the anti krust Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Well the answer would be to leave your tap on overnight to fill big water butts [you still got them havent you HPC tinfoil hat wearers?] that you bought in the last summer hose pipe ban/shortage. "I love big butts and I cannot lie". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sikejsudjek Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Remember this is a company that has pleaded guilty to several counts of serious fraud. Hardly the ones to point the finger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightiesgirly Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I think Severn Trent may have to wait in line, customers are having trouble paying ALL their bills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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