meters too close together

chanz4

my clients dont tend to have meters, they prefer dtm

Terrylw1

brewerdave wrote: »

Have to agree - had a water meter fitted about two months ago - after a couple of weeks,noticed that it was running backwards. Phoned Dwr Cymru (Welsh Water!!) who arranged for a man to come out and rectify. Said man turns up, examines meter,confirms its running backwards.............and then tells me that he will arrange for a contractor to come out and turn the meter round - not his job!!!!!:mad:

Wow, that's different to elec & gas since it means changing the meter. Water seems very simple if you just turn it round to stop reverse running.

In elec & gas, the guy coming out would do the work unless there was some form of complexity he is not trained to such as needing an electrician, a bemco set up, etc...

In terms of who's at fault, well its pretty obvious really. Its up to their managers to ensure they under the regs and how they apply. The MOP/MAM are paid by the supplier so they should be keeping their standards up.

I hope the suppliers contract managers pick it up and refuse to pay the invoices. However, given it won't be reported that way, it will probably fall into the tens of thousands of incorrect abortive visits. Supplier I have experience of just don't tighten up processes with these agents who are wasting them large suns if money each year for various reasons (cost passed onto the consumer of course)

Terrylw1

Sacsquacco - check out Spiro's post in this thread, it may shed some more light on silly supplier activities causing customers to be put at risk...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3957475

mttylad

Can the meter be hidden in a cupboard around it?

Terrylw1

mttylad wrote: »

Can the meter be hidden in a cupboard around it?

Yes, it can for elec. Ours is. Not sure if there are any gas regs that prohibit it for those though.

However, its the property of the Meter Asset Provider and is serviced by the appointed agent. If the cupboard blocks their access (e.g. locked) or there isn't enough space to do essential work, they will report it to the supplier as Meter Blocked.

They can pursue a warrant against blocked situations, but its more likely they will try to ask for the blockage to be moved. One example of blockage is one in a garage full of rubbish, so what would a warrant really achieve? So, its a bit of a grey area especially since it could be the builder or an early occupant who has caused it.

If its a landlord property, it wouldn't be an issue for the tenant if the meter was blocked by a physical structure since they are not the property owner and cannot make changes. Again, another grey area that the supplier would need to discuss with the landlord.,,who won't want to shell out, so often a stalemate.

Over previous years, its been my experience that suppliers ignore this as its too difficult to resolve. However, suppliers are getting more efficient and are looking into things more in terms of their processes and wastage.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Terry, I think Spiro may be wrong about suppliers and their two readings a year clause, theres too many disabled and infirm occupiers living on their own who cannot get to certain meter positions to force a rule like that, possibly "endeavour " or such wording is in the clause. Even if many could get to the meters, their eyesight is too poor to read them

Terrylw1

Totally agree and I've said the same on the other thread.

Only Ofgem can do it and they wouldn't dare as they would re-open the customer gripes over the fact they used to read quarterly and why pay for a service you have get involved in. I think many customers wouldn't care since they are proactive in controlling their bills/DD's but its the HSE that would ultimately have to look at this before Ofgem could do anything.

They can write what they want in their t&c's but once you call their bluff, the ombudsman will overrule them. Plus they would also end up under investigation with much media scrutiny.

Given Consumer Direct, Energy watch and the CAB's damning public cases a few years back, a supplier would have to be a complete fool to risk the bad press.

Inspectorman

As mentioned above the distance should be 150mm under current gas regs.

And as for the person not doing the exchange - it was probably just in an awkward spot or they couldn't be bothered and used an easy excuse.

I came across one customer as a reader where they had been told an exchange was not possible - surprisingly they were in a terrace house in the corner of the room in an awkward to get to cupboard.......

I've had many reasons not to do exchanges but meters to close is one I've yet to personally come across - maybe I'll recognise it when I see it

chanz4

mttylad wrote: »

Can the meter be hidden in a cupboard around it?

As long as the ecv is accesable, the meter can be read. However if its a credit meter and a debt warrant or even inspection warrant is used they can smash it down.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Inspectorman, are you confirming that the meter fitter should have exchanged the meter despite them being too close together.On this occasion they were a doddle to access, plenty of room.she had had three visits by different fitters saying the same thing and leaving quoting they were illegal scaring the old dear in the process.I have heard this excuse many times over the years.Nothing ends up getting done about the "illegal" meters.Possibly the gas meters had some lead piping to the meter, I know some exchangers are not licenced to work on lead and they use some excuse to get out of the house with some dignity