Is there an obligation to read a meter annually

glittermonster

the issue is with the meter reading and the managing agent i guess - but more with incorrect estimates and when it was last read.

I don't know where the meter is - despite asking twice i've not yet been told - there is a meter as a serial number is stated on the bill.

the bill is send to the managing agent and they pay it and split it and send us each a bill to pay them - that's how I know all previous bills have been estimates.

I can't check it, I don't know where it is - or I would. I thought it was in my meter cupboard but the serial numbers aren't right.

I haven't checked the tarrif. We have 5 lights on this bill - they use to be on constantly. There's now a push switch downstairs that you press and it turns them on for 5 minutes, and a normal switch at the stop of the stairs.

They are energy saving bulbs in each single light.

jalexa

glittermonster wrote: »

I don't know where the meter is - despite asking twice i've not yet been told - there is a meter as a serial number is stated on the bill..

Well post the estimated readings from the bill for comment.

Lets say pre "energy saving lamps", pre timer you had 5 x 60w lights on 24/7. The annual energy use would be 5 x 0.06 x 24 x 365 = 2600 kWhrs (in the absence of any qualification of "constantly"). At today's costs £300, somewhat greater than the £60 being paid and that doesn't include standing charge costs. So from the perspective of an "estimated catch-up" the supplier may not be wrong. Of course where they be might be wrong is that you now have energy saving lights on a timer, but the supplier is not a mind reader. Yes the supplier should be reading at least biennially, the managing agent at least as often as any frequency stated in the tariff terms and conditions.

I would say there appears to be culpability shared between the supplier and the agent. On this you need to enforce the service level agreement with the agent.

There cannot be many places where the meter can be hiding. I can't believe you can't do better (the residents collectively) on that. What vintage of building?

Terrylw1

Wywth wrote: »

I think the supply licence says something like make a reasonable attempt at least once every 2 years to obtain an accurate reading ... so if someone else supplies it or they request access and it's not provided, then they may claim they met that requirement. The period also restarts if a supplier changes.

Gas is slightly different in that they have to view the meter at least once every two years, irrespective of any supplier change.

Gas is every 2 years as you say because the distributor holds the Last Inspection Date (LID) hence it is passed in the switching process to allow the new supplier to know when its due.

Elec has absolutely no protection as the watching process resets it to 2 years from switch date. So, if you switch a lot, its possible it never even reaches a safety inspection...a big flaw which could easily be resolved by copying the gas industry.

A supplier cannot claim they have satisfied this obligation by not gaining access, they are expected to obtain a warrant to perform the safety check.

OP - so, the agency is the customer? Then I think you need to question their poor management of their properties as they should have a policy of taking readings. If you have had price increases, you could consider any detrimental material impact as part of your complaint with them.

In terms of the supplier, if its gone 3 years with no attempt, they have failed that area of their licence...which is extremely common and Ofgem ignore it. You can use this part against the supplier who may give a gesture of goodwill.

I think you need to take more control. You are managing your money so should be giving readings for that reason, however that doesn't waive the suppliers responsibility.

chanz4

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Gas is every 2 years as you say because the distributor holds the Last Inspection Date (LID) hence it is passed in the switching process to allow the new supplier to know when its due.

Elec has absolutely no protection as the watching process resets it to 2 years from switch date. So, if you switch a lot, its possible it never even reaches a safety inspection...a big flaw which could easily be resolved by copying the gas industry.

A supplier cannot claim they have satisfied this obligation by not gaining access, they are expected to obtain a warrant to perform the safety check.

OP - so, the agency is the customer? Then I think you need to question their poor management of their properties as they should have a policy of taking readings. If you have had price increases, you could consider any detrimental material impact as part of your complaint with them.

In terms of the supplier, if its gone 3 years with no attempt, they have failed that area of their licence...which is extremely common and Ofgem ignore it. You can use this part against the supplier who may give a gesture of goodwill.

I think you need to take more control. You are managing your money so should be giving readings for that reason, however that doesn't waive the suppliers responsibility.

As you say the electric regs are not as strict as gas, one thing that happens a lot with these is that the agents lock the meters away in cuboards or fit intercoms and these can cause issues.

Wywth

Terrylw1 wrote: »

...
A supplier cannot claim they have satisfied this obligation by not gaining access, they are expected to obtain a warrant to perform the safety check. ...

To clarify, not absolutely necessary under the electricity supply licence, but is an expectation under the gas supply licence.

Terrylw1

Wywth wrote: »

To clarify, not absolutely necessary under the electricity supply licence, but is an expectation under the gas supply licence.

Its in SLC12 of the separate electricity conditions so it is absolutely necessary.

The elec safety inspection has been considered as less valuable given gas has more dangerous outcomes...so you are right in terms of supplier thinking but that's only because Ofgem don't watch the elec safety checks much or suppliers wouldn't be able to operate that culture.

Atidi

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Its in SLC12 of the separate electricity conditions so it is absolutely necessary.

No it's not. I've known many customers who have been with the same electricity supplier not had their electricity meter read by a meter reader for years.

I can't say the same for gas.

Terrylw1

Atidi wrote: »

No it's not. I've known many customers who have been with the same electricity supplier not had their electricity meter read by a meter reader for years.

I can't say the same for gas.

You need to read SLC12 then of the electricity licence conditions where it clearly stated that they have to do it.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Licensing/Work/Pages/licence-conditions-consolidated.aspx

It would be pretty pointless creating a clause and passing it via industry consultation processes otherwise!

OhReally_2

I suggest you need to take a read.

There was an error. The document could not be located

:rotfl:

However, the Standard conditions of electricity supply licence can be found here:
http://epr.ofgem.gov.uk/EPRFiles/Electricity%20supply%20standard%20licence%20conditions%20consolidated%20-%20Current%20Version.pdf

No mention of obtaining a warrent in there.

Unlike the Standard conditions of gas supply licence which can be found here:
http://epr.ofgem.gov.uk/EPRFiles/Gas%20Supply%20Standard%20Licence%20Conditions%20-%2010-11-2011%20-%20Previous%20Version.pdf
where it states:

12.10 In paragraph 12.8, the reference to “all reasonable steps” includes, in particular, trying to obtain a warrant under the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 in cases where the licensee could not otherwise comply with its obligation.

Terrylw1

OhReally wrote: »

I suggest you need to take a read.



:rotfl:

However, the Standard conditions of electricity supply licence can be found here:
http://epr.ofgem.gov.uk/EPRFiles/Electricity%20supply%20standard%20licence%20conditions%20consolidated%20-%20Current%20Version.pdf

No mention of obtaining a warrent in there.

Unlike the Standard conditions of gas supply licence which can be found here:
http://epr.ofgem.gov.uk/EPRFiles/Gas%20Supply%20Standard%20Licence%20Conditions%20-%2010-11-2011%20-%20Previous%20Version.pdf
where it states:

It does do that from time to time...:o