Energy meter reader trespass??

Jamie_Carter

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

I have been faced with exactly this scenario, although I didn't call the police, but it took me to threaten to scream "rape" to make the meter reader leave my private, enclosed garden. I was naked and attempting to cover myself with a towel yet he still insisted on reading the meter :mad:

Did you report him?

Jamie_Carter

chanz4 wrote: »

No just my job on a daily basis, and yes a supplier has a right of inspection and to prevent evidence loss can apply for a no notice, and does not have to wait 24 hours! Also the police only get involved if a breach of the peace

I think you need retraining :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

uk1

It has to be a troll. No one cold be that dumb. Telling lies to magistrates to get a warrant would bring a custodial sentence as a reward.

~Chameleon~

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

Did you report him?

Unfortunately not, although I guess I should. I was just extremely distressed by the whole thing especially when he insisted on reading the meter despite my obviously compromised situation

Jamie_Carter

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Unfortunately not, although I guess I should. I was just extremely distressed by the whole thing especially when he insisted on reading the meter despite my obviously compromised situation

You could have had him arrested.

~Chameleon~

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

You could have had him arrested.

Wish I'd known that at the time! They think they have a god-forbidden right to enter your private space

Terrylw1

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

If you provide online readings, then a manual reading will normally only be taken once per year at the most. And even then they have to have permission to enter the property. And even if permission is given, this doesn't give them any legal right to cross any physical barriers that are there to prevent intruders.

The meter reading companies can't just generate their own work by turning up at houses to take readings from households where they submit an online reading.

This depends on the agreement in place between the supplier and the agent.

Agents are contracted to take readings at X periods. To prevent them going out at that time, the supplier needs to send them your reading quick enough. If its a month early, it won't be sufficient to cancel a visit in many cases.

So, whilst the ability is there, it does rely on getting the timing right.

Another issue is reading validation. Often the supplier uses your reading but the meter reading side fail it, hence it becomes a nothing reading. Unless the supplier intervened and ensured it was validates, which they are supposed to do, it wouldn't stop them going out. Getting them to validate a reading their systems don't like is also problematic and it can take weeks/months and even escalation to contract managers.

I remember one such situation years ago where the agent didn't have the resource and before that, suppliers commonly just left it failed. Nowadays this, is changing as suppliers realise just how much money they are wasting plus the industry has pushed them to improve in his area via a project that far outstrips Ofgem's actions.

Terrylw1

jalexa wrote: »

A sort of interesting document which contains a "killer" recommendation for suppliers to gain consent.

Surprise surprise, this is from the current (or recent) Edf t&cs. Doubt other suppliers are much different.

"2a You confirm that you are legally able to, and have permission to, allow us into the premises and have full access to your meter (or meters) whenever we need to in line with these terms."

I haven't been following this thread so that explains why I have not thanked my "bros".:D

As a "pithy aside" whether the meter reader should be (legally) worried about the pot crushing video depends on whether there were signs advising of CCTV being recorded.

Here is Npower's statement.

19. Access to your meter You will need to give us reasonable access to read, install, test, inspect, repair, remove or replace your meter when necessary. We may also need access to convert your meter from a ‘credit’ setting to a ‘prepayment’ setting (or vice versa), or to cut off or reconnect your supply.

So, by agreeing to the t&c's in switching, they gain your approval.

I'm sure every supplier also has included this. So, unless there is something which overrides this and I seem to recall this all falls under Torts, its agreed by Ofgem sin e they don't oppose it.

I always love the "reasonable" wording in this industry...its responsible for so many poor actions. The question is what is reasonable? Given that's open to each supplier to decide, it becomes pretty useless and is going to rely on basic common sense! That is often thrown out the window when it cones to targets, bonuses and making money until the bad press starts.

Terrylw1

NeverEnough wrote: »

I have followed the thread with interest and feel I need to say that my experience of meter readers is similar to that of uk1, unfortunately.
Around here they all seem to think they can do as they please, snoop and nose around our property and if someone happens to be at home, arrogantly and sneeringly demand access (which is always refused if the "attititude" is like that). They then become very threatening about how they will force entry.

I have an online tariff with Scottish Power and provide the readings they require so the only "visits" from these pathetic little wimps should be the forced/mandatory Snoop Around and Swipe/Break/Sneer Visit (disguised as the so-called "Safety" Inspection - some clown who is not a trained electrician or a gas safe-certified engineer has no more knowledge than other householders about what constitutes a SAFE installation - its just a forced meter reading, nothing more. ) Unfortunately, they harass and annoy us with far more regularity than that yearly visit.

We also own an adjoining property with Npower services, and they seem to employ the most obstructive and stupid meter reading contracters ever, if G4S can indeed be trunped, but thereby hangs another tale.

Suffice to say I have yet to meet a meter reader who doesn't think they are above the law, very very special and somehow has the right to barge into my home at will on any old occasion they see fit to turn up. It is my pleasure, when such attitudes are shown, to tell them to sod off.

Mandatory meter readings are done by appointment ONLY on our property, on a day and time slot of my choosing, not at the meter readers pleasure!!!

We have CCTV covering our property as well and there is NO REQUIREMENT for signage indicating same on a private property and of course the CCTV can be used as evidence!! The local Police have asked us for footage on a few occasions when there were local incidents, we have of course been happy to oblige. The more householders who install CCTV to catch out thieving couriers and meter readers with bad attitudes and tantrums, as well as the general ne'er do good breaking in to your premises or stealing from you, the better.

Safety inspections are considered a visual inspection of equipment to take a reading' check for tampering, check for damage or Anything that could cause a problem with correct operation. The latter is where the question of expertise is raised for me.

However, this is per Ofgem and ifs never engineers that do these visits, just meter readers. So, the issue of expertise lies with Ofgem who allow this.

Terrylw1

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

It isn't allowed by law. A meter reader should get the permission of the householder.

But since the t&c's include you giving "reasonable" access, what is classes as reasonable?

The supplier is going to use that t&c against you so it would need something in the Tort to overrule it. This would effectively make the clause illegal in the contracts.