Help

KAD

Hi Guys,
Last year we moved into a house which we basically had to tear it apart and start again. The last thing we had to do was to move the electricity meter a very short distance from one wall onto another (the whole board was moved and the supply was not interupted) this was all carried out by a qualified electrician. On the board was an unused meter and time clock which had been used for the old storage heating system that had been replaced years ago so he removed them while he was at it.
My problem is that last week I had to contact Scottish Power as I couldn't access my online account, they said it was because I had two meters one of which wasn't moving and could be 'de-energised', once this was done they could sort out my account access problem.
Will we be in trouble for doing this? I don't want to get the electrician into trouble either as he's a friend of my brothers and only did this as a favour to him.
The thing is I only wanted access to my account to get information so I could have a look around to see if I could get my gas and electricity any cheaper elsewhere.

anniecave

My advice would be that if the meter that has been moved is still working fine, then everything should be ok.
Metering work is SUPPOSED to be done only by the official agents of the elec and gas companies, but the deed is done now. Probably no-one will ever know anyway, so I shouldn't worry. If anyone asks then I would act vague and they will assume it was done by a previous person before you moved in!
Getting the old unused meter "de-energised" is the correct thing that should happen. They may come around to check it is definately not there now, or to try and remove it, but they may not. Either way I wouldn't worry.
The most important thing from their point of view is they need to to update their information, confirming you have one meter using all your electricity now.

tripled

Unfortunately tampering with a gas or electricity supply is actually a crimanal offence. Also the meter is the property of the electricity board so if you cannot return it to them if they ask it is classed as theft. However as there was no malicious intent it is highly unlikely they would do anything apart from possibly charge you for the missing meter.

Of course they might think they may have removed it themselves, in which case just keep mum.

KAD

Thanks guys, I think I've been a bit to trusting with this and the allowed the job to be done in good faith. My husband said that I'm good at playing dumb so I might try that and see how it goes.
One more question: What would happen if I tried to change suppliers would I have the same problem?