Problems with supply and access to meter fuses

scrafty

When getting new night storage heaters fitted, I was told by the electrician that electricity was going to my heaters during the day (when it shouldn't be as I'm on an Economy 7 supply).
I spoke to my supplier (NPower) who said they would get an engineer out and if there was a problem I may be entitled to some money back.
I live in a block of flats where the electricity meters live in the basement.The engineer that came out said there looks like there's a problem with the meter and it needs to be changed.
They have so far been unable to change it, because they do not have the key to the fuse box underneath the meter (the "Rifield Cabinet"?).
They are trying to locate it with the engineers that they use (Lowry Beck) but have said that if they don't have it that I will need to contact the Local Council who may have the key.
They have been trying to blame me saying that I should have the key to this fuse box (Which says "Danger" on it!) and my flat's management agents also do not have it.
Firstly, who actually should have the key to the fuses for our electric meter?
Secondly, if they can't find the key, what should I/they do next to progress this?
All I want to do is get it fixed, get any refund that I'm entitled to and then change supplier (NPower have so far been dragging this out for 2 months)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

hippey

Funny enough I was on a job last week with a similar problem and even the network distributors rep who was in attendance was struggling to work out who owned what!

Do you live in a block of flats / communal housing?

It sounds like the landlord will have access to the switchgear which connects your meter, this could well be the local council housing office, but maybe a local caretaker if you have one. They would need access to safely exchange your meter or inspect the supply.

In the job I was on there were multiple meters on 415v supplies which had been overridden, but it took hours for the engineers to work out who owned what and why they did what they did! So even the experts sometime struggle!

Premier_2

scrafty wrote: »

...They have been trying to blame me saying that I should have the key to this fuse box (Which says "Danger" on it!) and my flat's management agents also do not have it.
Firstly, who actually should have the key to the fuses for our electric meter?

They are correct. As the account holder, you are responsible for granting access to the suppliers meters on reasonable request

scrafty wrote: »

Secondly, if they can't find the key, what should I/they do next to progress this?...

You'll have to call a locksmith out.