How can residents of Hull keep their water bills down to a minimum?
Yorkshire Water customers who fail to pay their water bills on time could face more obstacles in getting a loan or credit card following the water supplier's decision to join Experian's Credit Account Sharing Service.
The move means that banks, credit card providers and mobile phone companies will be able to access information on how Yorkshire Water's 5 million customers manage their accounts.
In turn, the water supplier will be granted access to a customer's full credit history when they open a new account (with their permission), which it claims will "tailor services" and "reduce the likelihood of bad debt in the water industry".
While customers who pay their water bill on time may enjoy an improvement in their credit score, those who have not always been able to pay on time will see their scores go downhill, making it tougher to gain access to the best deals and subsequently gain approval for credit cards.
Yorkshire Water has also announced that the average water and sewerage bill in Yorkshire will increase from £356 to £368 in the next 12 months.
With this in mind, how can people in Hull plug the leak in their wallets when it comes to water bills to ensure they can cover the payment – and avoid blemishes on their credit record?
Save water around the house
Do you leave the water running when brushing your teeth? Do you put the dishwasher on even if it's only half full? It may sound simple, but being more aware of where you are using water unnecessarily can help you cut down and save money. Fixing leaky taps can also save you money.
...and in the garden
Left running, garden sprinklers and hosepipes can use between 500 and 1,000 litres of water an hour. Going back to basics and using a watering can will dramatically reduce the amount of water you are using outside.
Water meter
Have you considered a water meter? You should base your decision on the ratio of rooms to people: if there are more rooms in the house than occupants, it could be more cost-effective to install a meter.
If you are struggling to cover the cost of essential outgoings such as bills, compare personal loans with Money Expert.
9 Comments
by Pete898
Wednesday, February 27 2013, 6:05PM
“My water bill is £800, so whoever owns this companies on a big fat stinker. I once (20 years ago) went for an interview for a job where there was a regulator involved. They asked me what would you say if an irate customer comes at you and says how do you justify these price increases. I said I did not know.....well the answer they gave me was because the regulator has OK the increase to allow us the INVEST in infrastructure on your behalf......and Ive since seen the same old claptrap trotted out by an army of spokeman for the last twenty years.”
by smartguy1
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:29PM
“And can anyone tells me what happens when you have a dispute over your bill like explained on watchdog when the water company gets it wrong. NO company supplying water, gas or electric should be linked to any credit search companies. This is wrong.”
by ButterOllocks
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:21PM
“Blame Maggie Thatcher for selling off water, gas and electricity and making sure that anyone who had the money to buy lots of shares, i.e. the rich, have done quite well by it. Not to mention the sale of council houses at knock down prices without having the provision for building more to replace what was sold so now we have a council housing shortage.”
by ricardo121
Thursday, February 21 2013, 6:33PM
“how much water is lost due to theft!”
by PatrickNewman
Thursday, February 21 2013, 5:06PM
“Water privatisation has been a disaster but it a unique feature. Even in the energy 'market' I can choose who I pay my bills to for the overpriced supply. Ofwat? - oft ****!”
by Blakey_
Thursday, February 21 2013, 3:10PM
“Another company which evades tax. Yorkshire Water paid just £2.9m in 2011-2012 despite an operational profit of £303m.
The only problem is you can't avoid these like you can with Starbucks.”
by Sirlaffalot
Thursday, February 21 2013, 12:35PM
“The OFT should only allow companies that have contracts/agreements that are covered by the Consumer Credit Act 1974 to be able to register with the credit reference agencies.
Will YW send their customers that are in arrears a 'Default Notice' giving them the opportunity to remedy the arrears before they enter a 'marker' on their credit file?
I doubt it.”
by thesnooper
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:29AM
“should say save money with the above measures”
by thesnooper
Thursday, February 21 2013, 11:29AM
“i like the way the story tells you haw to save water then mentions, have you considered a water meter ?
the only way you can save water with the above measures is if you have a water meter already installed”