Can a meter reader insist on entering a property when only minors are home?

mandalea98

Yesterday my 14 year old son was babysitting his brothers at home. A meter reader knocked at the door and my son apologised and said they could not come in as his parents were at work. He told him he was welcome to return in half an hour when we would be home. The meter reader insisted he had a right of access and was about to finish for the day so so couldn't come back later. My son let him in against his will as he felt pressured into it. My son is a responsible young man but is still a child who is respectful of adults especially those in authority.

I feel this was a totally inappropriate abuse of power and he should have left once he knew there were no adults at home. Surely this is unlawful entry and puts not only the children in a difficult position but leaves the meter reader vulnerable too.

I would be interested to know if he had the law on his side.

Thank you.

new_owner

No

Not without a court order.

HappyMJ

A meter reader can enter if invited by a 14 year old...it's not illegal. Your son can refuse entry and then forcing his way past would then be illegal. Can't break in either which would also be illegal.

Inspectorman

No - report it.

Brave meter reader as well - so much comeback from these kind of situations. I never went into a property when there was just a minor present.

Doesn't matter what the age - no means no. Although this can obviously lead to future problems if you keep saying no & are the bill payer

mandalea98

He didn't force his way in but he did tell him he couldn't stop him entering. I feel this is an abuse of power. He was not unpleasant to them at all but it upset them as they know they shouldn't let a stranger in. He told the they had no choice.

poet123

I would be livid if this had happened to my kids. I always told them never to answer the door though if they were home alone. Even now, I would not be happy if my 15 year old answered the door if he was alone in the house. I would report it, he asked to be admitted and was told no, he should have accepted that and come back tomorrow, or whenever. I would make a formal complaint personally.

mandalea98

We always let them in if we are in and my son told him we would be there in half an hour. I am really upset about it. I have also told my son to call us/police if anyone ever says they have a right of entry in the future and they are home alone.

MillicentBystander

Definitely an abuse of 'power' and the meter reader in question deserves a carpeting for it. He's an absolute idiot for entering the house when only minors are present anyway. Take it further would be my advice.

mandalea98

Having read what you have all written and discussed it with friends I have written a complaint email to EDF. A sensible and even complaint that explains the situation in full and questions the training and responsibilities of the company as a whole. They will apparently reply within 5 days. I will let you know how it ends. Thank you for your comments, i really did need help.

[Deleted User]

A big definite NO, its drummed into us at most meetings that entering a home with only a minor or minors in the house is expressly forbidden. Adults only, they dont have to be the householder, if the person in charge has been given permission to allow us entry.

chris1973

Why answer the door in the first place?. When I was home alone during my early teens I was firmly told to keep the doors locked and never to answer the door to anybody, under any circumstances, who wasn't expected, and that was well over 20 years ago!.

Probably better to tell them never to answer the door when alone. If any relative / friend wants to visit who hasn't got their own key, then text or phone ahead.

If the door is never answered, the problem will never arise, and unexpected visitors will never be able to trick / force their way in

In retrospect telling a complete stranger who had just knocked on their door, that they were alone and their parents were out probably wasn't the wisest choice, whether the person had ID or not.