Meter Reader Gained Access Without Permission

marbar2k

In our house the meters are located outside behind 10ft gates on the drive way that are locked. The rest out the house is surrounded by 6ft fence (we dont live in a bad area or anything lol)

I came outside the other day and noticed the cupboard for the gas meter was open, I closed it and through nothing more of it.

Today I got a gas bill saying "we read your meter on the 16/10/12"

We were obviously at work and no cards were left saying we called but they have either scaled the gates or lifted a fence panel to gain access.

Are they allowed to do this. I am a little concerned they gained access when no one was there but im more concerned they could have damaged them selves or my property doing so?

What are the rules regarding this?

pooch

marbar2k wrote: »

In our house the meters are located outside behind 10ft gates on the drive way that are locked. The rest out the house is surrounded by 6ft fence (we dont live in a bad area or anything lol)

I came outside the other day and noticed the cupboard for the gas meter was open, I closed it and through nothing more of it.

Today I got a gas bill saying "we read your meter on the 16/10/12"

We were obviously at work and no cards were left saying we called but they have either scaled the gates or lifted a fence panel to gain access.

Are they allowed to do this. I am a little concerned they gained access when no one was there but im more concerned they could have damaged them selves or my property doing so?

What are the rules regarding this?

Sounds like you got a particularly keen & athletic meter reader who scaled your 10 foot high gate to get that accurate meter reading, most won't even turn a gate handle.

Still, you've got an accurate bill due to his efforts

To prevent the injury or damage you appear concerned about, why not move the gate so that the meter reader doesn't need to scale it in future?

marbar2k

i'm on smart meters, so no estimated bills here!

Just my suspicious mind, why would they go to so much effort to get a reading...have a look round the empty property?

pooch

marbar2k wrote: »

i'm on smart meters, so no estimated bills here!

Just my suspicious mind, why would they go to so much effort to get a reading...have a look round the empty property?

So it may not even have been a meter reader :eek:

Call the police if you are suspicious about activity around your property.

skivenov

"Hello Police! I think someone might have been in my garden in the last couple of weeks".... can't see that going anywhere to be honest.

marbar2k wrote: »

i'm on smart meters, so no estimated bills here!

Just my suspicious mind, why would they go to so much effort to get a reading...have a look round the empty property?

They get paid per reading. Top marks to the guy for being dedicated!

Cardew

Covered in 14 pages and 260 posts in this thread.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4065125

Richie-from-the-Boro

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"Here we are again, Happy as can be,
All good pals and jolly good company.

Strolling 'round the town, Out upon a spree,
All good pals and jolly good company.

Never mind the weather, never mind the rain,
Now we're all together, whoop she goes again.

Lah-di-di-di-da, Lah-di-da-di-di.
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[Deleted User]

No we are definitely not allowed to go scaling fences, whatever the height, or getting into gardens by any other means either. We ve had meter readers disciplined for that sort of thing.If your front gate is locked and you dont respond to a call bell, thats it, carry on to the next house after leaving a call back card.
I have known that estimates have been recorded incorrectly as a meter reader reading in the past, and meter boxes do vibrate open themselves so check with customer services. they have the name of the meter reader
We do check smart meters, B.Gas are usually doing it once a year

chanz4

but if you have a smart meter, it would send an actual read anyway/