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Do you have to change your utility meter?

My parents recently had their gas meter changed, and have seen their bills triple over the last two quarters. Now British Gas are wanting (in fact threatening legal action) to gain access to get their electricity meter changed as well. Do they have to get the meter changed? Is there any legal reason ie health and safety, etc, wh they can't keep their existing meter, which is working perfectly fine? Is ther any way they can make sure that their bills aren't bumped if they do have to change their meter?

Comments

  • KimYeovil
    KimYeovil Posts: 6,156 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It sounds as if your parents have been changed from an imperial to a metric meter but are still being charged for an imperial meter - this would result in an accidental tripling of the bill.

    Ask your parents to check their bill and divide the number of kWhs by the number of meter units - for a metric meter this should be about 11.2, for an imperial meter about 32.
  • Thanks for that, I'll let them know
  • Vestra
    Vestra Posts: 856 Forumite
    Also get them to check the meter number on the bill too.
  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,405 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    All meters have a 'certified' life after which time suppliers have a legal obligation to replace them. This can include them obtaining a warrant if necessary. If people/landlords are stupid enough to block access i.e. put cupboards in front of them, which they do believe me, they can even pull them off the wall to gain access.
    IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.

    4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).
  • enthrone
    enthrone Posts: 20 Forumite
    its best to get the meter exchanged,
    and no they cant remove parts of your property unless they havea warrant, or the meter is outside.
  • The other thing could be your parents were underpaying for their gas for a long time based on estimated readings. When the meter was exchanged an actual reading was taken, causing a large bill. Susequent bills now reflect actual usuage... I'm not saying this is the case, just a suggestion.
    Sunny in Southampton.
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