Access to my gas meter has been removed but I'm on a plan requiring meter readings.

gettingthere12

Hi
I'm on an online plan with Scottish Power which requires me to enter quarterly meter readings. This has been fine for over 20 months but last night I went to read the meter (reading due tomorrow) to find the lock on the gate to the side alley has been changed and I can't get to the meter.
I rent so contacted the letting agent. They said the man who owns the Shop the other side changed the lock and has refused to let anyone have the key including the shop owner beneath me. I have emailed Scottish Power but had no reply. I might be able to get access from the rear of the shop below but I'm not at home when the shop is open so not sure how that will work.
Does anyone know where I stand on this. Should I or at least the letting agent be able to access our meters? I can get my electricity reading as that is in the building.
What are the penalties like for not providing a reading?

chris1973

Maybe you should push the 'emergency' angle with the agent. What would happen if there was a gas leak / explosion / fire and you, or a gas engineer needed to access the meter to turn off the main supply? (assuming the shut off valve is in the same location as the meter).

I'd be more inclined to 'hold them personally responsible' for the HSE aspect rather than just saying you can't read your meter!.

DVardysShadow

Get a quote for having the meter moved to where you can read it. Write to person withholding access with copy of quote and give them 7 days to restore access or you will have the meters moved at their expense?

Locksmith, break and change lock. Copy key to whoever needs access?

Ask nicely for access?

greenbee

How are meter readers and the meter owners (generally utility companies) supposed to gain access? And as has been pointed out, those responsible for gas safety. does the shop owner own the right of way? And does your lease, or your landlord's paperwork say anything about access rights. Might be worth talking to the other shop owner who has been denied access...

spiro

If practical suggest they move the gate further down the alley so you can access the meter and emergency control valve. Failing that if you smell gas in your flat crowbar the lock or gate off.

lemontart

Meter readings aside The gas meter and cut-off valve must be easily accessible to the occupiers. - this is a legal requirement, should they fail to do so and you are unable to access to make safe then they are opening themselves up to possible penalties under the law, just as those who lock fire doors with chains etc would be.

DVardysShadow

lemontart wrote: »

Meter readings aside The gas meter and cut-off valve must be easily accessible to the occupiers. - this is a legal requirement, should they fail to do so and you are unable to access to make safe then they are opening themselves up to possible penalties under the law, just as those who lock fire doors with chains etc would be.

Good point, but who is they 'they' who you would hold responsible? The Landlord, the shopkeeper who changed the lock? Or whom?

irnbru_2

gettingthere12 wrote: »

I can get my electricity reading as that is in the building.

TBC you cannot access the gas meter?

If that is the case, is there an isolation valve for the Gas in the flat?

It's really down to your LL to sort out as the owner of the property.

However ........

You could request a Fire safety visit and have them explain to the gatekeeper that access is required.

14Westfield

As mentioned earlier preventing access to the meter is a breach of gas safety regulations. this is made significantly more serious if access to the emergency cut off valve is also prevented.
when the gas supplies were installed the then owners assured that access would be maintained.
if they (the building owners) wish to alter this arrangement then they can arrange for the meter to be moved by the local gas distribution company.
Really your landlord and any other owners need to be involved in this as the person who has removed access has broken existing arrangements

access should be reinstated immediately while the future arrangements are sorted out.

bengasman

Although ultimately the landlord is responsible for assuring continuous access to the gas Emergency Control Valve, the shopkeeper is the one that acted illegally.
The easy way is to notify the landlord ( in writing of course to provide proof ). The quick way is a registered letter to shopkeeper with notification that he has endangered your safety and that of the property you lived in and is a breach of the GSIUR. Demand immediate reinstatement of access with the promise of legal action by yourself and HSE.
Send email to HSE that shopkeeper has blocked access to the control valve and emphasize how worried you are that you can do nothing in case of a gas emergency.
Do NOT call anybody, it it essential that you do everything in writing. No point in mentioning the meter readings either as it is not a priority to anyone, but only and administrative item.
Keep all communications as brief as possible; stick to the fact of lack of access to safety device; the rest is neither relevant nor important and will only confuse the matter.

DVardysShadow

bengasman wrote: »

Although ultimately the landlord is responsible for assuring continuous access to the gas Emergency Control Valve, the shopkeeper is the one that acted illegally.

Not necessarily. Shopkeeper could have a tenancy giving him control of the access. He could be unaware of the presence of the gas valve, due to negligence on the part of the landlord.