Energy meter reader trespass??

Jamie_Carter

chanz4 wrote: »

must be just like you then, as parcel companys do leave around the back of propertys...cant see you complaining

Yes they sometimes do (although they shouldn't). But they don't go climbing over gates, or reaching over and unbolting locked ones, like you seem to think you have the right to do.

Jamie_Carter

chanz4 wrote: »

so what if they have a low gate, any different? and if the gate was unlocked its not secure ....

Well that wouldn't be a barrier to prevent intruders would it???

Jamie_Carter

mattcanary wrote: »

From my experience as a past meter-reader, there was a high proportion of customers that were annoyed at a meter-reader not going through a gate to read the meter ("why did you knock?, just go and read the bloody meter!") Just can't please some people....

Who on earth would be annoyed because you hadn't gone around the back of their house??? It is hardly going to be an inconvenience if the mter reader has to call back. It just sounds like a made up excuse to me.

Jamie_Carter

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Would you?

Considering the suppliers cover it with their t&c's and have seperate contract with agents that won't even mention access, it could sit between them as an implied term of some sort.

Then we have the fact this used to occur when it was national. So, you can't focus on one company because its a practice brought forward that was government backed.

Then we have Ofgem who have no issue with it.

So, its more like you would be fighting the entire industry.

You also need to broaden this out as meter readers are only one party. We also have distribution engineers and Meter Operator engineers. The latter being what you will know as the meter fixers who are contracted by the suppliers. The latter have very weak contracts with suppliers but it does not cover equipment on the network...so the supplier can't be held accountable for the actions of these guys.

Are you just trolling?

It's all down to what is considered 'reasonable'. And it seems that the meter reading companies, or the readers themselves, push the boundries of what is 'reasonable'. That's if they have any concept at all.

It wouldn't be difficult to work it out. All they have to do is look at it from the householders point of view. And if it's something that they wouldn't like someone to do on their property, then they shouldn't do it.

Jamie_Carter

chanz4 wrote: »

more to the point, if you don't like them going around the back move your meter!

Yeah, because that's an easy, low cost job isn't it??

Or the meter readers should just have more respect for the householders would be a far better idea.

uk1

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

Are you just trolling?

It's all down to what is considered 'reasonable'. And it seems that the meter reading companies, or the readers themselves, push the boundries of what is 'reasonable'. That's if they have any concept at all.

It wouldn't be difficult to work it out. All they have to do is look at it from the householders point of view. And if it's something that they wouldn't like someone to do on their property, then they shouldn't do it.

You are still at this ...... you are patient.

If it helps:

intruder [ɪnˈtruːdə]
na person who enters a building, grounds, etc., without permission

What is Trespass?
The main legal connotation of trespass is the act of entering another individual’s property unlawfully.

Examples of Trespass under Civil Law


Examples of Trespass against property include:

• When an individual enters another individual’s home without being invited

Householders and the use of force against intruders

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Chief Constables have produced a summary of what people can do when faced with an intruder and the support offered by the law when householders defend themselves. The following is taken from that statement.

What is 'reasonable force' and does the law protect you?

Anyone can use 'reasonable force' to protect themselves or others, or to carry out an arrest or to prevent a crime. You are not expected to make fine judgements over the level of force you use in the heat of the moment. So long as you only do what you honestly and instinctively believe is necessary in the heat of the moment, that would be the strongest evidence of you acting lawfully and in self-defence. This is still the case if you use something to hand as a weapon.
As a general rule, the more extreme the circumstances and the fear felt, the more force you can lawfully use in self-defence.

Do you have to wait to be attacked?

You do not have to wait to be attacked before defending yourself if you are in your own home and in fear for yourself or others. In those circumstances the law does not require you to wait to be attacked before using defensive force yourself.

Do as I have now done. Put a clear sign up for them so that they know that anyone that ignores the request is very probably up to no good - and then let them ignore it and take a risk with the consequences .........................

►Meter Readers◄
Strictly by prior appointment ONLY
◘ Do not Knock or Ring
◘ Do not try gates or doors

Anyway ..... good luck. I'm done.:D

mattcanary

uk1 wrote: »

Right ... yes ... we're all nobs aren't we. What are you exactly?

I'll try and make this really simple.

If a customer has indicated to you on a previous visit that they do not object to you trying a gate then you can try the gate on subsequent visits without asking. Got it? If you can see the meter without touching a gate or door - take the reading. OK so far? Even meter readers should be able to crank up the brain to sift a pattern here. However, there is the point where people with pea-brains can't cope with more complex thought processes.

Because one customer doesn't object - it doesn't mean that it's OK for you to do this with all customers. The others that haven't agreed aren't scum or nobs. If you want them to respect you - then respect them. Get it? It's tough .... sit down .... clear the brain and put your thinking head on and see whether you can cope with it.

So you do not try the gates or doors of people's private property unless you have their prior approval. First time you do it - ask them if it's ok for you to take the reading next time without banging on the door. Make a note. If they haven't then treat others with a bit of respect. Not doing so makes you a nob - not them. I know that in meter-man land that makes us nobs - but just do it. Many people know that a parcel is coming and leave a message on the door saying "please put the parcel behind the gate" or " in the garage". So that's clear then? Otherwise, you .... like the parcel man .... leave a card.

The gate - with or without a lock is none of your business to find out.

Some people leave gates unlocked so a neighbour can let themselves in to feed a dog for example. Idiots like you will let their dog out. On Meter-Nob-Man land this is the customers' fault not yours isn't it? Some elderly people leave a gate unlocked so carers or neighbours can get in to check on them. But it is iditotic scum like you that frighten old people by wandering around their gardens making them feel vulnerable and scared. Some of them wil be really upset .... or even worst.

So to summarise.

1. If you can see the box when approaching the property and it isn;t through a gate or door - then take the reading.

2. If you've been told before you are permitted to go through a gate or door without asking - do it without asking again.

3. If one person has told you it's ok - it doesn't mean that permission covers the whole wide world.

Anything else involves you potentially breaking the law and also placing yourself and your company's customers in potential danger.

So try and treat people with a bit of respect and then perhaps they might reciprocate?

People do move home you know. They don;t always live in the same place from birth to death!

As I said before, lock your bloody gate if you don;t want anyone going through it! Sounds simple to me....


I wiuld also suggest you are very condescending towards the elderly. IN the vast majority of cases the elderly are completely obliging and pleasant do deal with when doing your job. More often than not it is younger people on a power trip that get so uppity about someone just trying to do their job!

chanz4

mattcanary wrote: »

People do move home you know. They don;t always live in the same place from birth to death!

As I said before, lock your bloody gate if you don;t want anyone going through it! Sounds simple to me....


I wiuld also suggest you are very condescending towards the elderly. IN the vast majority of cases the elderly are completely obliging and pleasant do deal with when doing your job. More often than not it is younger people on a power trip that get so uppity about someone just trying to do their job!

or something to hide, normaly stealing.

Jamie_Carter

mattcanary wrote: »

People do move home you know. They don;t always live in the same place from birth to death!

When people move home, then their records should change with the power company. So it wouldn't be difficult to find out

mattcanary wrote: »

As I said before, lock your bloody gate if you don;t want anyone going through it! Sounds simple to me....

You shouldn't have to lock your gate to stop people going into your back garden. But if you do, then it doesn't stop dodgy meter readers reaching over to unbolt it, or climbing over the gate.

Next you will probably suggest that people put razor wire on their gate just to make really sure that meter readers get the message.

Are you saying that many meter readers don't have the intelligence to not cross a physical barrier without being given permission?

mattcanary wrote: »

I wiuld also suggest you are very condescending towards the elderly. IN the vast majority of cases the elderly are completely obliging and pleasant do deal with when doing your job. More often than not it is younger people on a power trip that get so uppity about someone just trying to do their job!

You would find that most people would be obliging, if you didn't just think you have the right to do what you want on peoples private property.

chanz4

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

When people move home, then their records should change with the power company. So it wouldn't be difficult to find out



You shouldn't have to lock your gate to stop people going into your back garden. But if you do, then it doesn't stop dodgy meter readers reaching over to unbolt it, or climbing over the gate.

Next you will probably suggest that people put razor wire on their gate just to make really sure that meter readers get the message.

Are you saying that many meter readers don't have the intelligence to not cross a physical barrier without being given permission?



You would find that most people would be obliging, if you didn't just think you have the right to do what you want on peoples private property.

Only ever seen this post where people object, or does accurate bills not mean anything?