A bumper pay day could be in store for sheltered housing occupants in Brentford if it turns out they have been overcharged for their water.
Residents of Griffin Court, in Walnut Tree Road, claim they are owed at least £1,000 each as they have been unwittingly paying full water rates - without the single occupancy reduction - for at least six years.
Thames Water has agreed to meet Hounslow Council to discuss the situation and has promised residents of the 19-bedroom block a refund if it turns out they have been paying too much.
Norman Hayes says he has lived at Griffin Court for six years but was previously unaware he was overpaying because the water rates were always collected along with the rent by Hounslow Homes (now replaced by Hounslow Housing).
He says he was horrified to learn he was paying £384.40 a year for his water - more than his daughter who lives in a three-bedroom house, and well above Thames Water's £232 single occupier tariff.
He claims he first raised this with officers at Hounslow Homes in spring last year but is still waiting for an apology or refund.
"Over the last six years I must have paid about £1,000 too much for my water, and it's the same for the rest of those living here. I'm frustrated it's taking so long to get a refund," he said.
Mr Hayes said residents at two other blocks - Lavender Court in Feltham and Edward Pauling House in Bedfont - had also been overcharged as they were paying their bills in the same way.
A council spokesman said the matter had been addressed at the other housing units, which are both supplied by a different water provider, and discussions were underway with Thames Water about Griffin Court.
A spokesman for Thames Water said: "We're sorry it has taken so long to resolve this issue, and would like to reassure the residents that they will be entitled to a refund if we find they have been overpaying their water bills.
"We are meeting with the council next month to discuss further and will have an answer for them shortly afterwards."
