Who is responsible for meter housing?

ANGLICANPAT

Hi. Can anyone advise me please who to contact about a broken 'lock' on the door of my outside gas meter housing box? The key snapped something plastic inside the lock after all this big freeze and its locked shut.Is it current provider? Me? Ive just done a reading luckily but it needs sorting before next one due. Many thanks for pointers.

echoecho_2

Hi Anglicanpat,

Your supplier (afaik) will not take responsibility regarding this and will either point you in the direction of National Grid or a DIY store.

Just done a quick google search - found this link- hope it helps.
http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Metering/q7.htm

penrhyn

Its your responsibility for its upkeep.

http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/1288DFD2-DE27-4B50-A8E2-E4D9692C23B3/42249/Webapplicationuserguidedomesticmeterboxsparesandre.pdf

davidgmmafan

Go to the mirror, look there, if you are the owner you are looking at the person responsible.

I'm wondering if this was different in the past? As many people are stunned when advise it is thier responsibility.

Excuse the humour, no point being serious when its already been answered

jack_spratt_2

You can buy the boxes at builders merchants

Marauder999

I phoned British Gas yesterday as our meter box has been smashed off the wall from falling snow. They said that it was our responsibility for the upkeep.

Owain_Moneysaver

Places like here and here sell the bits.

Usually it's just a simple cam lock; pushing the door in a bit and pushing some wire up the gap often does the trip.

Tupperware_Queen

ANGLICANPAT wrote: »

Hi. Can anyone advise me please who to contact about a broken 'lock' on the door of my outside gas meter housing box? The key snapped something plastic inside the lock after all this big freeze and its locked shut.Is it current provider? Me? Ive just done a reading luckily but it needs sorting before next one due. Many thanks for pointers.

my old box lock was broken for ages (still is to my knowledge!!) I crouched down on the ground, and lifted the edge of the box away from the wall - only held on at the top...shine a torch in, and squint to get a reading....result!!

did it like that for 12 years!!

lemontart

it is important that you get the proper lock for a meter cupboard as both the meter reader and more importantly the gas emergency engineers will need access to the meter and they all carry the key that fit the lock, if you fit a different lock you are storing up problems for yourself.

Also if you do not have a key for your meter cupboard I would strongly advise you get one not only so you can get a meter reading to ensure you are being billed correctly and enable you to ensure you are getting the best deal but in the interests of your safety so you can turn off your gas in an emergency to ensure you make your self and your property as safe as you can until an engineer can get to you.

ANGLICANPAT

Thanks everyone. Looks like a new front or box then as the keyhole with the broken bit inside, is an integral part of the door. Great.

Gman0365

Which area of the country do you live in? Many of the large gas transportation networks will post you a new locking mechanism free of charge. This is certainly true for customers in the Scotia Gas Networks areas - www.sgn.co.uk