Do I have to let the NIE man in?

happy_gardener

I do not pay NIE for my electricity.
I send online meter readings in regularly, and pay by DD.

I have found the NIE chap quite rude and have therefore asked him to just put a card through the door instead. I then emailed NIE the reading...even thought I do not 'get ' my electricity from them.

I wondered if anyone knew whether I actually have to let him in to read my meter ? Do I have to send them a reading?
Is it a legal thing that he has to be allowed in ?

I am not trying to hide anything from not having my meter reading taken from him...I just don't like the NIE chap.

warmhands.coldheart

NIE or NI Power?? They are now different..... NI Power is the power Supplier, NIE is in charge of the Meters and infrastructure. if it's an issue with the infrastrutcture/meter, then I'd imagine you do have to let them in....

jjd

I'm sure contacting NIE with a reading or leaving a card out would be sufficient.
NIE own all the equipment, power lines etc.
Power NI, budget energy and Airtricity do not look after the equipment. If power lines to your house were damaged NIE would repair regardless of who you pay.

I'm always a bit dubious about letting anyone i dont know in to my house...

saverbuyer

No you don't have to for evey visit but I think there is a requirement on NIE to visually check the meter every few years. If you did continue to refuse they can obtain a court order.

sheerdelight

I believe they must be ble to read it at least once a year. Otherwise people could be under/overestimating readings to gain financially.

JulieElizabeth

I've been in my house 10 and half years and the meter reading man has been in only once

D.A.

JulieElizabeth wrote: »

I've been in my house 10 and half years and the meter reading man has been in only once

Yes, but is your meter outside? :rotfl:

GlynD

NIE/PowerNI have a right of entry to read the meter if it is installed inside your home. That right extends to entry without your permission if you are not at home and there is a problem with the power supply although I don't think I've ever heard of them doing that. It's the same for all utility companies.

donnac2558

yes it is once a year. I got a letter a few years back asking if I could please arrange for the meter guy to get in and read the meter.

The guy comes in, I open cupboard and he is gone in like two minutes. No chatting just in and out.

JulieElizabeth

D.A. wrote: »

Yes, but is your meter outside? :rotfl:

No


.
.

RooBee

The meter reader rarely comes into my house. He apears to be afraid of dogs and I used to ask him to wait a moment while I shut them away. Now he just asks me to shout the reading out to him or gives me a card to write it down myself while he waits on the doorstep.