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Water penalty 'after seven weeks' Water penalty 'after seven weeks'
(about 4 hours later)
Some householders in Northern Ireland will face legal action for unpaid water charges within seven weeks, the BBC has learnt. Some householders in Northern Ireland are set to face legal action for unpaid water charges within seven weeks, the BBC has learnt.
However, other people who fail to pay after charges are introduced will get 12 weeks before legal action is taken.However, other people who fail to pay after charges are introduced will get 12 weeks before legal action is taken.
Crystal Alliance has been awarded the £7m contract by the Water Service to run its billing system.Crystal Alliance has been awarded the £7m contract by the Water Service to run its billing system.
The BBC has obtained a copy of the strategy for debt recovery, which differs according to credit rating.The BBC has obtained a copy of the strategy for debt recovery, which differs according to credit rating.
The firm lists some as an "affluent achiever" but others as "rock bottom".The firm lists some as an "affluent achiever" but others as "rock bottom".
This term has angered the Consumer Council who have described it as "appalling".This term has angered the Consumer Council who have described it as "appalling".
The watchdog is also angry that householders who are deemed to be high risk, in that they have a bad credit rating, will be pursued much more vigorously for unpaid bills than those who are deemed to be low risk.The watchdog is also angry that householders who are deemed to be high risk, in that they have a bad credit rating, will be pursued much more vigorously for unpaid bills than those who are deemed to be low risk.
Eleanor Gill said the label would make people feel "terribly bad".Eleanor Gill said the label would make people feel "terribly bad".
"Particularly when the bill they are being chased down for is water, the most essential basis of living," she said."Particularly when the bill they are being chased down for is water, the most essential basis of living," she said.
Katherine Bryan from the Water Service said they will be continuing to consult with the Consumer Council and other bodies in how they deal with debt management.Katherine Bryan from the Water Service said they will be continuing to consult with the Consumer Council and other bodies in how they deal with debt management.
However, she said the terms were not used by the Water Service and that customers would not be referred to as such when being billed.However, she said the terms were not used by the Water Service and that customers would not be referred to as such when being billed.
"What we will do when we introduce our charges is that we will work with our customers for one to two years whilst we get experience of debt pattern in Northern Ireland," she said."What we will do when we introduce our charges is that we will work with our customers for one to two years whilst we get experience of debt pattern in Northern Ireland," she said.
"Then we will evolve, in conjunction with consumer representatives, including CCNI, a sensitive approach to debt management.""Then we will evolve, in conjunction with consumer representatives, including CCNI, a sensitive approach to debt management."
Water Service has also approved a timetable which shows exactly how different types of customers will be pursued over outstanding bills.Water Service has also approved a timetable which shows exactly how different types of customers will be pursued over outstanding bills.
High risk customers are those with, for example, a bad credit rating.High risk customers are those with, for example, a bad credit rating.
Final demandFinal demand
Low risk are those whose credit rating is good.Low risk are those whose credit rating is good.
Everyone receives a bill at the same time, but those categorised as high risk will get a reminder after 14 days, but low risk householders will not get that letter for another two weeks.Everyone receives a bill at the same time, but those categorised as high risk will get a reminder after 14 days, but low risk householders will not get that letter for another two weeks.
On day 21, the final demand will arrive at the high risk house, but the low risk customer will not get that until day 49.On day 21, the final demand will arrive at the high risk house, but the low risk customer will not get that until day 49.
Meanwhile, on day 49, the high risk customer has been referred to a debt collection agency or recommended for legal action.Meanwhile, on day 49, the high risk customer has been referred to a debt collection agency or recommended for legal action.
The low risk customer gets another 34 days grace before they find themselves in a similar position.The low risk customer gets another 34 days grace before they find themselves in a similar position.
The legislation on water charges has not yet passed through parliament, and the first water bills will not be sent until next April. But staff have already been recruited for a billing centre in Belfast.The legislation on water charges has not yet passed through parliament, and the first water bills will not be sent until next April. But staff have already been recruited for a billing centre in Belfast.
Recoveries advisors will routinely be dealing with solicitors, court officials and debt collection agencies, and they will go to court if formal litigation is launched.Recoveries advisors will routinely be dealing with solicitors, court officials and debt collection agencies, and they will go to court if formal litigation is launched.
They will be expected to achieve personal targets for cash collected from debtors.They will be expected to achieve personal targets for cash collected from debtors.
The job specification for advisors said they must be articulate and courteous, but also assertive and resilient. They will receive a salary of £14,000, with a bonus of up to £3,000.The job specification for advisors said they must be articulate and courteous, but also assertive and resilient. They will receive a salary of £14,000, with a bonus of up to £3,000.