utilitys:do they prosecute for meter tampering?

Terrylw1

upthears wrote: »

I hope this thread is still active?
I have recently bought a house with no gas main connected. The property had an oil fired boiler with a tank in the rear yard
I decided to get rid and go for gas. I contacted National Grid who confirmed gas was indeed available in the street and all they had to do was put a service to my house. I set to work, digging a trench, fitting meter box and paid £318 for their "work" I now have a live gas service pipe to my meter box. I decided I wanted to have a meter installed asap so contacted Scottish Power (my chosen supplier,) who told me I need a MPR number (Meter Reference Point,) which I should get from National Grid. I rang National Grid only to be told that it's the supplier that should generate the MPR. So back to the supplier (to be) only to be told again that they can't fit a meter without the MPR number - again I called National Grid who gave me the same answer as before and also said they were surprised at Scottish Power as their ignorance could cost them a potential customer. It appears therefore National Grid have done their bit and are no longer concerned, it also seems that the supplier is not interested in charging me for gas! I will of course find a resolve and get it all sorted out properly.

Now for my question: Please note I would never consider doing this myself but; What is there stopping someone in my position buying a meter and fitting kit from eBay and fitting it themselves? It is obvious a meter reader will never come to the property as there is no record of a meter being fitted and no MPR number to reference. Surely if a reader did look they would see a meter and assume it is being charged for through another supplier. National Grid obviously are not interested as according to them the job is done. I wonder therefore how many people are getting free gas as their meter is not registered with anyone???

As lemontart says, a MPRN would be created as part of the new connection process.

What you need, is a supplier to issue a registration request against your MPRN which will allow them to fit a meter.

In terms of fitting your own meter, dangerous, illegal, prosecuted later, etc. It may take years to get spotted, but it will and you will be prosecuted to recover the costs of gas usage and probably making it safe.

upthears

Thanks for this I will get on to it straight away. I do recall them leaving a folder with me BUT the site is in such a mess I will really have to search for it.
It does however beg the question I asked previously - as there seems to be a breakdown in communication between the gas main being fitted and trying to get a meter on the end of said new main - I wonder how many (dodgy) people out there have bought a meter from ebay and fitted themselves? As far as I can see if this did happen no one would be any the wiser - no one would call to read it as it would not be registered? Again I must stress I would not consider attempting to do this (It's not my thing - I really would not sleep at night.) But reading through this forum and realising the trouble some people are going to the fit "bypasses" etc, I wonder what is stopping someone else doing the above and getting away with it?

[Deleted User]

Hi upthears, you are correct in what you say about the utilities being none the wiser and dont worry there will be plenty out there doing just that, since I started this thread last April I have discovered a much more " none the wiser " issue concerning electric and gas prepay meters which I am finding much more often bypassed, especially the electric prepay. The Utilities have adopted a very disturbing attitude towards actually inspecting these meters on a two year minimum length of time. That is, they dont bother at all. Because they think that they can be monitored electonically ( when they take the card/key to the shop ) that is sufficiant. But what happens when the key/card never ( or rarely ) gets credited at the shop at all ? Nothing, no one makes a special attempt to see the meters ever. If no one ever opens the door thats as far as it go s. I am currently awaiting OFGEMs replys to my emails about this ridiculous situation

upthears

Thank you all for your replies. I will be getting my MPR Number and then (hopefully) gas meter fitted asap (at last I can have my new boiler connected) ready for the colder weather
Regards
James

chanz4

I will add that if you have a gas main fitted, and no meter after so long it gets killed off at the road for safety. Theft is theft and it can be billed even past 6 years. Even the new meters on ebay are normaly stolen and traceable

utility_csa

chanz4 wrote: »

I will add that if you have a gas main fitted, and no meter after so long it gets killed off at the road for safety. Theft is theft and it can be billed even past 6 years. Even the new meters on ebay are normaly stolen and traceable

Believe it was 6 months. Sure the pipe drys out or something... sure someone will be able to elaborate

chanz4

Its for safety, they treat it as abandond.

Terrylw1

upthears wrote: »

Thanks for this I will get on to it straight away. I do recall them leaving a folder with me BUT the site is in such a mess I will really have to search for it.
It does however beg the question I asked previously - as there seems to be a breakdown in communication between the gas main being fitted and trying to get a meter on the end of said new main - I wonder how many (dodgy) people out there have bought a meter from ebay and fitted themselves? As far as I can see if this did happen no one would be any the wiser - no one would call to read it as it would not be registered? Again I must stress I would not consider attempting to do this (It's not my thing - I really would not sleep at night.) But reading through this forum and realising the trouble some people are going to the fit "bypasses" etc, I wonder what is stopping someone else doing the above and getting away with it?

You've been messed about by the supplier who just doesn't understand it.

To get your MPRN, they just need your address which the distributor will have in a place sitting as a skeleton record.

Use this link to check you exist. If you don't, you need to speak to the distributor again

http://www.energylinx.co.uk/independent_gas_transporters.htm

In terms of the messy process, blame the regulation side...this issue was fully dealt with in elec in July 2000 by preventing completion until a supplier is registered as they have to request the MPAN. Since the gas industry continues to bury its head rather than make a process change...the gas will be stolen with dodgy meters.