Who is responsible for moving meter due to main cable in wrong property?

Incisor

spiro wrote: »

In gas there is a 'must inspect' condition in the suppliers licence which means it has to happened every 2 years. This gives them the right to get a warrant to gain entry to the 'meter point address' which in this case would be the neighbour's flat.

I would be interested to see the formal definition of 'meter point address' - if it is actually the address at which the customer consumes gas, they might have the right to access the premises without a meter.

Incisor

terryya wrote: »

Suppliers have a legal responsibility to read/check the meters every two years and IIRC they can do this with or without the occupiers help/permission. So if your friends neighbour continues to be a pain in the a**e then they will just let themselves in, especially if they need to change it.

That might be interesting. As the neighbour is not a party to the agreement to supply electricity, they may not have the right - and if they do break in they may be trespassing. The correct response of the supply company in this case might actually be to stop supply in the street.

dunloadin

The best bet is to get the supplier to send an engineer out to do a quick survey on the metering. It may be possible to connect the meter cables in the neighbours house using connector blocks, then position the meter(s) in your freinds flat next to the consumer unit (fuse box) in her flat. If so this will prevent any big bills for re-routing the mains cables. It may well be billable, but will cost a hell of a lot less.

As for the neighbour denying access I suspect they will be in for a shock if any routine or emergency work is required on the meters.

ben500

Another avenue to explore here is the "Party wall regulations" if they meter is affixed to a party wall they may be able to invoke these and in such a case I believe the neighbour may well be forced to share the burdon of the cost.

It's interesting to see that the renewal date is also due on the meter as it would be easier for the supplier to gain a forced access on the grounds of health and safety in that case.

Worth checking out both points, try your local CAB for legal advice and mention them. It could be a way of coercing the neighbour into being a bit more collaborative

Premier_2

Received some interesting correspondence from Eon today regarding an electricity meter which, if true, could worry the OP further.

"We have been unable to access your property to read the meter...

It is your legal responsibility to provide access to our meter or supply us with an up to date reading"

Can anyone confirm if this is true please?

BexTech

Premier wrote: »

Received some interesting correspondence from Eon today regarding an electricity meter which, if true, could worry the OP further.

"We have been unable to access your property to read the meter...

It is your legal responsibility to provide access to our meter or supply us with an up to date reading"

Can anyone confirm if this is true please?

Yes, you have to allow access to the meter.

I have seen a few times people's homes being forced into so they could read / exchange the meter - both gas and electric.

Incisor

dunloadin wrote: »

... As for the neighbour denying access I suspect they will be in for a shock if any routine or emergency work is required on the meters.

If there is no wayleave or any other right for the electricity distributor to have its plant in the wrong house, then the neighbour may be able to charge everything back to the electricity co and insist on the removal of plant PDQ.

dunloadin

If there is no wayleave or any other right for the electricity distributor to have its plant in the wrong house, then the neighbour may be able to charge everything back to the electricity co and insist on the removal of plant PDQ.

Good point.