Opening Meter Cupboard

turbo

My mother had the outside of her house painted in June 2008. Apparently the painter has painted the meter cupboard which means it can't be opened. Any ideas on how to open this cupboard. I am presuming it has been painted with gloss paint.

Turbo

ormus

assuming you have the right key?
just run a sharp knife blade around the meter cupboard door gaps, if they have painted them up.

ariba10

I do not see that painting it will stop it from opening.

If there is a build up of paint around the door, try running a knife blade in the gap arround the door.

You do have a key I trust?

turbo

Thanks ariba 10. I am 200 miles away but visiting at the weekend and I have only just been made aware of the problem. I will take my meter key. I will try using a knife. My main concern is that Mum will receive a big bill if the meter hasn't been read for a while.

Turbo

totalsolutions

No more than last year I hope, year on year. How did last quarter bill go? Or never had a bill?? Keep quiet if I was you.

david78

I bet the cupboard is just a little stuck. It will probably open easily enough if you have key.

Antispam

I dont know how painter managed to do that unless he applied lots of thick coats, I have painted mine 3 or 4 times now and never once got stuck

I would do what ormus suggested

turbo

Thank you ormus, total solutions, david 78, Antispam,
I need access to the meter asap as apparently British Gas changed the meter in April 2008 and it is now down as a prepayment meter which means Mum hasn't had a bill since April 2008. Mum has dementia so we need to get this sorted. I did not realise she had not been receiving bills. I have one of her last bills which has a credit of £280 on it. My sister told me the meter cupboard was stuck a few weeks ago and until we get the meter reference no, British Gas can't do anything. I have no knowledge of prepayment meters but I know I took a meter reading in April 2008 which I still have.

Turbo

Antispam

Hope you get it sorted out sounds a lot of worry for you

If any issues with energy if they arise ask in gas/electric forum hoepfully you nip this in the bud before there's a large debt/credit

turbo

Thanks Antispam, British Gas have been very helpful and they are ringing at 8am on Monday morning when I am at my mother's house. It's a bit difficult when I am 200 miles away and only visit every six weeks. I go through Mum's bills every time I visit so I'm sure I would have noticed if she hadn't had gas bills for the last eighteen months.

Turbo