Source · SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)

Business Stream

SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) Not Upheld Reference 201305252 Sector Water Category policy/administration Decided 01 August 2014

Full decision

Summary

Mr C complained that Business Stream failed to properly invoice his company for outstanding water charges, unreasonably disconnected the water supply and failed to respond reasonably to his contacts with them.

When we investigated this, we found that Business Stream had written to his company in February 2013 introducing themselves as the water supplier and asking him to contact them. In August they began sending him invoices, reminders and final notices, and at the end of January 2014, they sent a disconnection warning letter. About two weeks later, Mr C made his first contact with them by completing an online form, saying he was very unhappy with the charges and had contacted the SPSO. An officer from Business Stream tried to contact Mr C about his concerns but received no response and closed the case. Business Stream disconnected the supply in early March.

Having reviewed all the evidence, we were satisfied that Business Stream properly invoiced Mr C for his company's water charges, and noted how many times they contacted him about these. However, with the exception of the online form, and a single phone call, Mr C did not attempt to resolve this with them or complain until after they disconnected his supply. We reviewed the disconnection process and found that it was in line with the code of conduct laid down by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland. As we found no evidence to suggest that Business Stream had not complied with their responsibilities, we did not uphold Mr C's complaints.

Related reading

View Decision Report 201305252 as a PDF (11.29 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018

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Other decisions involving Business Stream

Reference Date Summary Outcome
202101632 01 Mar 2023 C complained about Business Stream's communication regarding their account. There was also disagreement between C and Business Stream over the … Resolved / Early Resolution
202103298 01 Nov 2022 C runs a small business and was unhappy with the way Business Stream managed their account. In particular, C was … Upheld
201900738 01 Dec 2021 C complained that Business Stream had not billed their business accurately. C said that they had been told by an … Not Upheld
201806006 01 Jul 2021 C purchased a former business premises for conversion to domestic property. At the time of the original purchase the business … Resolved / Early Resolution
201808488 01 Nov 2020 Mr C complained that Business Stream incorrectly arranged for a meter to be installed at a vacant property belonging to … Not Upheld
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