Do I have to let another Gas company read my meter?

lee12_2

My answer with any meter reader is don't answer the door and only phone through the readings, mind you I don't answer the door to any caller I just let the dogs bark a lot lol !!!!!

stewie_griffin

lee12 wrote: »

My answer with any meter reader is don't answer the door and only phone through the readings, mind you I don't answer the door to any caller I just let the dogs bark a lot lol !!!!!

Bear in mind that gas meters have to be read once every 2 years to comply with safety regulations so if you continue to not let them in then they are perfectly in their right to obtain a warrant of entry.

lee12_2

I did know that but when that time comes around they have to make an appointment to come when my husbands in,

Premier_2

lee12 wrote: »

I did know that but when that time comes around they have to make an appointment to come when my husbands in,

Siemens normal policy when arranging appointments is at no specific time between 8.00am and 8.00pm, but they will agree on a specific date
(but still they might not turn up!)

lee12_2

Last time it was read sadly we where with npower and we told them they could only come on a Saturday morning and they did, but since then we've changed company's. and the meter was replaced last September. But ether way its in our garage and I will not answer the door if I'm in on my own .

diable

stewie_griffin wrote: »

Bear in mind that gas meters have to be read once every 2 years to comply with safety regulations so if you continue to not let them in then they are perfectly in their right to obtain a warrant of entry.

I will remember that for when BG don't read my Mum's meter which is located in the coal cellar with spiders and webs that where used in the film Arachnophobia :rotfl:

Begize

stewie_griffin wrote: »

Bear in mind that gas meters have to be read once every 2 years to comply with safety regulations so if you continue to not let them in then they are perfectly in their right to obtain a warrant of entry.

The two year interval also applies to electric meters. Another reason they like to get sight of the actual meters is to make sure things like seals are intact to ensure that customers aren't stealing electricity or gas.

GavB79

And presumably to check customers aren't giving false readings over the phone to lower their bills!

Premier_2

Begize wrote: »

The two year interval also applies to electric meters. Another reason they like to get sight of the actual meters is to make sure things like seals are intact to ensure that customers aren't stealing electricity or gas.

Whilst it is true that suppliers must make reasonable endeavours to read both types of meter at least once every 2 years, the requirement to actually read the gas meter is more rigourous than an electricity meter.

Knocking on the dooor and getting no answer is enough for electricity. For gas, the supplier is expected to apply for a warrant to inspect the meter if all else fails.

Spark

I had that earlier this year. I am with Ebico/Southern Electric, I had a card from e-on asking me to give a reading for my electric. Normally Siemens do it, so I called SE to confirm that the E-on card was genuine. They told me it was, but still I wasn't happy. So I have never gave the card back, and gave my reading online.
Three months later, I had the usual Siemens card coming through the letterbox. I did give the reading this time and it was passed to SE for my last bill, as usual.
It seems I wasn't alone, are we seeing a trend coming up?
I find that very suspicious......