stopped meter and credit balance

Cknocker

There is only a right of entry where there is a risk to life - and that generally only applies to gas. Beyond that a warrant is required - a magistrate would be highly unlikely to issue a warrant in these circumstances - the customer is still paying every month on time and as far as the magistrate would be concerned at present the supplier owes the customer money not vice versa.

With regards to meter operators and suppliers, as far as the customer is concerned they are one of the same. The meter operator is merely someone contracted by the supplier. Do not get either mixed up with the Distribution Network Operator who has nothing to do with the meter but controls everything as far as the meter.

chanz4

Cknocker wrote: »

There is only a right of entry where there is a risk to life - and that generally only applies to gas. Beyond that a warrant is required - a magistrate would be highly unlikely to issue a warrant in these circumstances - the customer is still paying every month on time and as far as the magistrate would be concerned at present the supplier owes the customer money not vice versa.

With regards to meter operators and suppliers, as far as the customer is concerned they are one of the same. The meter operator is merely someone contracted by the supplier. Do not get either mixed up with the Distribution Network Operator who has nothing to do with the meter but controls everything as far as the meter.

sorry but your incorrect, check out section 2b of the electricity act. A supplier has the right to inspect its meter, and is not covered the same as a debt warrant. Life does not have to be at risk and by what you are saying your referring to transporter forced entry rights for gas leaks

Cknocker

And there is still not a hope in Hell of forced entry being gained in these circumstances! I have right of entry under section 2b of the electricity act myself - if I used it in these circumstances I would be looking for a new job tomorrow!

What idiot company is going to pay for repairs to locks and doors when there is quite clearly no need?

maddeningly

I work for one of the big 6. You have a credit of £600 because you haven't been billed for any units since your meter stopped recording, but it is likely that you will get some of this credit back and trying to put off the appointment to change the meter will result in you not receiving this for a longer period of time. If Saturdays are not available (I dont see why not because its the company who owns the meter who will take out this work and I could raise this request wherever you live) request an evening (5-8) or time banded appointment ( 8-10, 10-12 and so on) I am sure one of this could fit round your job? Once the new meter is in, your supplier should contact you a week or 2 weeks later for a reading (whether you give a true one or a lower one is up to you!). Your supplier should the work out an average, taking into consideration seasonal variations - say you are using 30 units per day (upd) now, I would work out your bill as 15 upd in the autumn and 7 upd in the summer - we always do it in your favour. I would check consumption before the meter stopped recording to make sure this is a fair calculation. Your not likely to get £600 back, unless you fall very lucky with who picks up the query, but taking into consideration that you will be billed in your favour then some money should be coming back to you. Hope this helps.

Cknocker

Just the man for this one Maddeningly - I could not understand when I had this situation why the supplier couldn't give me an appointment to change the meter at a mutually agreeable time. Whenever I spoke to them they would tell me I could only have an AM or PM appointment, which to most working people is absolutely no good.

Fortunately I have a pretty good employer who in the circumstances was happy for me to nip home when the guy turned up, so I every time I phoned up after the meter man came round to change it an I wasn't home, I gave them my mobile number so he could call me, to let me know when he was due - I never received a call!

chanz4

Cknocker wrote: »

And there is still not a hope in Hell of forced entry being gained in these circumstances! I have right of entry under section 2b of the electricity act myself - if I used it in these circumstances I would be looking for a new job tomorrow!

What idiot company is going to pay for repairs to locks and doors when there is quite clearly no need?

So you have never applied for an inspection warrant?

chanz4

maddeningly wrote: »

I work for one of the big 6. You have a credit of £600 because you haven't been billed for any units since your meter stopped recording, but it is likely that you will get some of this credit back and trying to put off the appointment to change the meter will result in you not receiving this for a longer period of time. If Saturdays are not available (I dont see why not because its the company who owns the meter who will take out this work and I could raise this request wherever you live) request an evening (5-8) or time banded appointment ( 8-10, 10-12 and so on) I am sure one of this could fit round your job? Once the new meter is in, your supplier should contact you a week or 2 weeks later for a reading (whether you give a true one or a lower one is up to you!). Your supplier should the work out an average, taking into consideration seasonal variations - say you are using 30 units per day (upd) now, I would work out your bill as 15 upd in the autumn and 7 upd in the summer - we always do it in your favour. I would check consumption before the meter stopped recording to make sure this is a fair calculation. Your not likely to get £600 back, unless you fall very lucky with who picks up the query, but taking into consideration that you will be billed in your favour then some money should be coming back to you. Hope this helps.

Not all areas offer these, Lowri beck for example dont

chanz4

Standard Licence Condition 12.6 Inspection of Electricity Meters, covers the warrant app

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

gismo1965 wrote: »

Hi everyone,
I tried to get a refund on a credit balance with eon and they asked me to give meter reading. They discovered my meter had stopped working and think this happened march 2011. I pay by direct debit and have a £1600 credit balance. They want to exchange my meter and investigate why it stopped working. Can I insist on a Saturday appt to change meter, how far back can they charge me and how soon
must they refund balance due?

Help ..

Hi gismo

Saturday appointments are generally available although, as others have said, they may be more difficult to arrange in certain regions. Not necessarily impossible though.

Two hour time slots are available, as are appointments up to 8pm on weekdays if this helps.

We've a specialist stopped meter team who deal exclusively with this type of issue. They'll be the ones handling this for you.

I would talk to them about a suitable appointment time.

Each stopped meter issue is looked at individually. We'll re-bill to when we believe the meter stopped. This will be based on estimated meter readings.

These estimates are usually based on usage going forward. Seasonal variations are also taken into consideration.

Once re-billed, any remaining credit balance can be refunded straightaway.

Hope this helps gismo. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help.

Malc