Can I refuse access to meter reader?

Forestchook

I'm having issues with my gas meter reader at the moment (see below). Until the matter is resolved to my satisfaction, would I be within my rights to deny them access to the property unless they obtain of my express written permission first? I cannot physically prevent them from reading the meter but i'm thinking of billing them if a reading turns up on my utility bill when they have not requested permission beforehand. If I write to tell them of my intentions then if they submit the meter reading to my service provider without having obtained my permission they would be accepting my penalty charge for trespassing? I would leave a warning in the meter box just to make sure.
I know it's taking things a bit far but I'm annoyed.

About a month ago I received a letter from a meter reading company wanting a gas meter reading for a property I am renovating. Given the meter is on the outside of the house right next to the front I was rather confused why they could not take one themselves. I had the general impression they were asking me the their job for them. Phoning them pretty much confirmed this. I did not oblige and informed my service provider of the matter. My service provider had not requested a meter reading but had not even heard of this company!
Last week, the same company put a hand delivered letter, pre printed with my name and address through the door of the property to say they were unable to access the meter and threatening to apply to a magitrate for access. Needless to say this annoyed me since their operative must have been standing no more then 2ft from the meter box to deliver the letter. You can see the box from the from the other side of the road. It's in the same place on every house on the street!
As a result I have sent;
a bill for £50 for wasting my time
a request for the dates they have attempted to read the meter and the reasons these attempts failed.
a request for an explanation why they sent the first letter before they even attempted to read the meter
and an request for an apology.

I did offer to to provide additional information (eg a photograph locating the meter) or to meet them at the property for very reasonable rates .

Cardew

Welcome to the forum.

Yes you can deny them access to your external gas meter; however firstly you need to tell them to disconnect you from the gas supply - it is not mandatory to have gas connected. However there are terms and conditions that you have to accept if you contract to have gas and electricity supplied by a firm.

Just to pre-empt any question, you are in a legally binding contract if you use gas/electricity.

Seriously, the meter readers are required by law to check gas meters for safety; and of course they also will check that you are not tampering with the supply.

Ich_2

Be aware that if you push too hard this piece of legislation is in place

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/2-3/21

[Deleted User]

I work for G4S on behalf of British Gas. They have started a campaign in the last couple of years to obtain meter readings by a number of different ways, personal calls from contracted private call centres,recorded calls, texts, emails. Its cheaper for them, bigger profits. Yes they are definitely trying to get you to do their job for them.They are also calling very aged and disabled people to do the same thing .Its very baffling why your supplier is getting pushy about access to a meter when its staring at them at the side of the house. No meter reader would miss an easy outside box, we would nt even bother you, (unless instructed to ) and simply take the reading and go.There would be no element of trespass involved, because we have a lawful reason to enter your property, just as the milkman and postman would. Yes , you can refuse us access of course if you choose to, but there is a two year obligation ( set by the regulator ) for meter inspections.Even if you dont allow access at the two year mark, suppliers would be unlikely to go for warrants and locksmiths. They have a look at your payments and your own readings and if the look ok, they will leave you alone. I have a few on my rounds who have never allowed access in years,one over 8 years who s threatened to sue BG if they break in with a locksmith, so they back down and leave him alone

shortcrust

Forestchook wrote: »

I'm having issues with my gas meter reader at the moment (see below). Until the matter is resolved to my satisfaction, would I be within my rights to deny them access to the property unless they obtain of my express written permission first? I cannot physically prevent them from reading the meter but i'm thinking of billing them if a reading turns up on my utility bill when they have not requested permission beforehand. If I write to tell them of my intentions then if they submit the meter reading to my service provider without having obtained my permission they would be accepting my penalty charge for trespassing? I would leave a warning in the meter box just to make sure.
I know it's taking things a bit far but I'm annoyed.

About a month ago I received a letter from a meter reading company wanting a gas meter reading for a property I am renovating. Given the meter is on the outside of the house right next to the front I was rather confused why they could not take one themselves. I had the general impression they were asking me the their job for them. Phoning them pretty much confirmed this. I did not oblige and informed my service provider of the matter. My service provider had not requested a meter reading but had not even heard of this company!
Last week, the same company put a hand delivered letter, pre printed with my name and address through the door of the property to say they were unable to access the meter and threatening to apply to a magitrate for access. Needless to say this annoyed me since their operative must have been standing no more then 2ft from the meter box to deliver the letter. You can see the box from the from the other side of the road. It's in the same place on every house on the street!
As a result I have sent;
a bill for £50 for wasting my time
a request for the dates they have attempted to read the meter and the reasons these attempts failed.
a request for an explanation why they sent the first letter before they even attempted to read the meter
and an request for an apology.

I did offer to to provide additional information (eg a photograph locating the meter) or to meet them at the property for very reasonable rates .

Why not just cooperate?! I'm mystified as to why you have billed for wasted time (good luck with that) when any sane observer would have to conclude that wasting time is your real objective here.

torbrex

shortcrust wrote: »

Why not just cooperate?! I'm mystified as to why you have billed for wasted time (good luck with that) when any sane observer would have to conclude that wasting time is your real objective here.

That's the impression that I got as well.
Why even respond if it is an external meter unless the requests have been to gain access to the electric meter and the OP has not read the letters properly.

spiro

If you wrote refusing access to the meter I would expect a visit from Revenue Protection within days because I think they would suspect you don't want they there because you have something to hide.

lemontart

Is your meter box behind a locked gate?

chanz4

spiro wrote: »

If you wrote refusing access to the meter I would expect a visit from Revenue Protection with days because I think they would suspect you don't want they there because you have something to hide.

Yup, an best of all they wont tell you they are coming. Op the meter is not yours and as per the suppliers license condition they have to inspect it every 2 years. Also if their are continued refused access, you can get billed for the warrant. If the meter is outside not sure what your issue is as Im sure an acurate bill is always wanted. p.s if you change suppliers they will still be updated and you flagged.

Inregards to you saying if you take a read and send it you will bill them, you wont get far as you agreed to the reads when you signup for a supply.

chanz4

sacsquacco wrote: »

I work for G4S on behalf of British Gas. They have started a campaign in the last couple of years to obtain meter readings by a number of different ways, personal calls from contracted private call centres,recorded calls, texts, emails. Its cheaper for them, bigger profits. Yes they are definitely trying to get you to do their job for them.They are also calling very aged and disabled people to do the same thing .Its very baffling why your supplier is getting pushy about access to a meter when its staring at them at the side of the house. No meter reader would miss an easy outside box, we would nt even bother you, (unless instructed to ) and simply take the reading and go.There would be no element of trespass involved, because we have a lawful reason to enter your property, just as the milkman and postman would. Yes , you can refuse us access of course if you choose to, but there is a two year obligation ( set by the regulator ) for meter inspections.Even if you dont allow access at the two year mark, suppliers would be unlikely to go for warrants and locksmiths. They have a look at your payments and your own readings and if the look ok, they will leave you alone. I have a few on my rounds who have never allowed access in years,one over 8 years who s threatened to sue BG if they break in with a locksmith, so they back down and leave him alone

License condition 12 should kick in here

Catherine_Johnson_2

Forestchook wrote: »

I'm having issues with my gas meter reader at the moment (see below). Until the matter is resolved to my satisfaction, would I be within my rights to deny them access to the property unless they obtain of my express written permission first? I cannot physically prevent them from reading the meter but i'm thinking of billing them if a reading turns up on my utility bill when they have not requested permission beforehand. If I write to tell them of my intentions then if they submit the meter reading to my service provider without having obtained my permission they would be accepting my penalty charge for trespassing? I would leave a warning in the meter box just to make sure.
I know it's taking things a bit far but I'm annoyed.

About a month ago I received a letter from a meter reading company wanting a gas meter reading for a property I am renovating. Given the meter is on the outside of the house right next to the front I was rather confused why they could not take one themselves. I had the general impression they were asking me the their job for them. Phoning them pretty much confirmed this. I did not oblige and informed my service provider of the matter. My service provider had not requested a meter reading but had not even heard of this company!
Last week, the same company put a hand delivered letter, pre printed with my name and address through the door of the property to say they were unable to access the meter and threatening to apply to a magitrate for access. Needless to say this annoyed me since their operative must have been standing no more then 2ft from the meter box to deliver the letter. You can see the box from the from the other side of the road. It's in the same place on every house on the street!
As a result I have sent;
a bill for £50 for wasting my time
a request for the dates they have attempted to read the meter and the reasons these attempts failed.
a request for an explanation why they sent the first letter before they even attempted to read the meter
and an request for an apology.

I did offer to to provide additional information (eg a photograph locating the meter) or to meet them at the property for very reasonable rates .

When I read posts like this it makes me afraid to step outside my front door. The world is full of loonies.