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.