Helpful utilities

Safetydad

Did you know that if the meter needs repairing, despite the fact that it is outside and we aren't allowed to touch it, it is a legal responsibility for the home owner to be present. No compensation for having to be home is offered.

Joyful

What do you think might happen if the Engineer repaired the meter and you had left an appliance on inside the house? This would be highly dangerous as you could then have gas going into a room then all it would take is for you to go home and perhaps switch on a lght for an explosion to happen.

If I have a problem with anything on my property I would always expect to be there when the person came to fix it and I would not ask them to pay me for my time either. It is part of owning/renting a property.

chanz4

its todo a polarity test, for all the enginer knows you could have a faulty consumer unit which is sparking. gas also has to have someone present.

Swipe

Most will also arrange an evening appoinment too so no need for a day off.

undaunted

So how do they manage to change meters when no one is home (eg under warrant) then?

Safetydad

It's electricity, not gas. They won't come in the evening. When the new meter was installed, as un upgrade without my presence, the wrong time was entered so the cheap rate comes on in the middle of the day.
How could it be dangerous for the time to be changed when I wasn't even present at the installation!

Gothicfairy

Safetydad wrote: »

It's electricity, not gas. They won't come in the evening. When the new meter was installed, as un upgrade without my presence, the wrong time was entered so the cheap rate comes on in the middle of the day.
How could it be dangerous for the time to be changed when I wasn't even present at the installation!

To be fair you didn't give much away with your OP so it is not surprising that people thought you meant the gas meter.

Also who said it was dangerous for it to be changed without you ?

They might just demand you are there so that they can prove to you the problem has been fixed and that the fault is now sorted out ?

As for compo, I honestly don't see why any should be given as I would always expect to be present when any work was carried out on my property.

chanz4

undaunted wrote: »

So how do they manage to change meters when no one is home (eg under warrant) then?

If gas is done under warrant and they enter the property the do a purge and relight and safety test the system, if no access and meter is outside they spincap it.

Electric is the same, but they are not so strict on the electric side.