Ditch and switch? I wish! (Thames Water)

Member Name: BlaEm

Product:	Thames Water
Date:	06/11/09 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: not really applicable

Disadvantages: you can't change them!

Of course it seems quite pointless writing a review for a water company, seeing as you can't exactly switch suppliers like you can with other utilities!

Initially, ThamesWater were very good when I first moved in - I phoned up to enquire about having a water meter fitted, and the customer service people were happy to tell me that my current fixed cost was the lowest that there was (as my three storey maisonette is technically classed as a one-bedroom flat!) - in other words, a meter would probably cost me more. Super!

Setting up a monthly direct debit was striaghtforward enough. My useless letting agents had not informed any of the utility companies of the change in tenancy (because we paid them a £200 'admin' fee for fun) but we faced the least amount of trouble from Thames Water when we told them we had only moved in in June.

However, last week I got a letter addressed to the 'Occupier' telling me my water was about to be switched off as we hadn't paid! I phoned them up to find out what was going on; apparently the previous tenants owed money - probably on the two months after they moved out - but I wasn't to worry as my supply wouldn't be turned off (why threaten to, then??). But even though I gave them the letting agents address so they could get a forwarding address for the last tenants, I've since had several letters from debt collectors threatening us over the £30 owed.

Obviously I can ignore these as the debt isn't mine, but it's poor form to send debt collectors to a property when the new occupier has already informed you that the debtor doesn't live there (although that should have been obvious, what with the 6 months of direct debits from a new account!).

If I could switch, I would!

Summary: It's good to have a moan - maybe a TW rep will investigate!