Can I refuse access to meter reader?

societys_child

Catherine_Johnson wrote: »

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

From the OPs name, wonder if he lives in the forest?

Forestchook

To clarify:
My orginianl objection was to being asked to do a job they are being paid to do! The cost of which is no doubt being passed onto myself and others via my energy provider. If there was, or even if there is a valid reason they were/are unable to read my gas meter (yes Torbrex, the letter are regarding my gas meter, the electric meter was inspected last year!) I would understand. Given that the meter box is in full view, unobstructed by anything, and lifts off the wall (in case they forgot the key tool thingy to to open the access panel) there is no logical reason they would be unable to read it.
I spoke to the company in question at the time and told them where the meter was.
I also spoke to my energy provider who had a) not heard of this company,
b)not requested a meter reading for my property (so they did not understand the letter either)!

Following this, for the company in question to put a hand delivered letter through my door claiming they were unable to read the meter is mind boggling. The person delivering the letter had to be no more than two foot (unobstructed) from my meter box. In additon, why was the letter pre-printed with my name and address? I cannot believe they carry a stock of pre printed letters for every house they have to visit, therefore I must question whether ever intended to take a reading on that visit.
As such, yes I am annoyed.

Shortcrust, if they are unable to answer what I feel are fairly reasonable questions in the circumstances then yes, since they are wasting my time I am certainly bl**dy minded enough to do my upmost to make their lives more difficult.

sacsquacco, I was thinking of contacting G4S because it sounds the company in question is one of their sub-contractors. Frankly I feel my meter readers are trying to pull a fast one on them and I thought they should know.

Catherine_Johnson, My sanity or lack there of is a matter for the men in white coats to decide on. However, until they catch me you and the rest of the world will just have to put up with me .
Have a nice day.

Andy_WSM

Forestchook wrote: »

To clarify:
My orginianl objection was to being asked to do a job they are being paid to do! The cost of which is no doubt being passed onto myself and others via my energy provider. If there was, or even if there is a valid reason they were/are unable to read my gas meter (yes Torbrex, the letter are regarding my gas meter, the electric meter was inspected last year!) I would understand. Given that the meter box is in full view, unobstructed by anything, and lifts off the wall (in case they forgot the key tool thingy to to open the access panel) there is no logical reason they would be unable to read it.
I spoke to the company in question at the time and told them where the meter was.
I also spoke to my energy provider who had a) not heard of this company,
b)not requested a meter reading for my property (so they did not understand the letter either)!

Following this, for the company in question to put a hand delivered letter through my door claiming they were unable to read the meter is mind boggling. The person delivering the letter had to be no more than two foot (unobstructed) from my meter box. In additon, why was the letter pre-printed with my name and address? I cannot believe they carry a stock of pre printed letters for every house they have to visit, therefore I must question whether ever intended to take a reading on that visit.
As such, yes I am annoyed.

Shortcrust, if they are unable to answer what I feel are fairly reasonable questions in the circumstances then yes, since they are wasting my time I am certainly bl**dy minded enough to do my upmost to make their lives more difficult.

sacsquacco, I was thinking of contacting G4S because it sounds the company in question is one of their sub-contractors. Frankly I feel my meter readers are trying to pull a fast one on them and I thought they should know.

Catherine_Johnson, My sanity or lack there of is a matter for the men in white coats to decide on. However, until they catch me you and the rest of the world will just have to put up with me .
Have a nice day.

Wow!

Something in the water maybe? Get that checked while you're at it!

torbrex

Forestchook wrote: »

To clarify:
My orginianl objection was to being asked to do a job they are being paid to do! The cost of which is no doubt being passed onto myself and others via my energy provider. If there was, or even if there is a valid reason they were/are unable to read my gas meter (yes Torbrex, the letter are regarding my gas meter, the electric meter was inspected last year!) I would understand. Given that the meter box is in full view, unobstructed by anything, and lifts off the wall (in case they forgot the key tool thingy to to open the access panel) there is no logical reason they would be unable to read it.
I spoke to the company in question at the time and told them where the meter was.
I also spoke to my energy provider who had a) not heard of this company,
b)not requested a meter reading for my property (so they did not understand the letter either)!

Following this, for the company in question to put a hand delivered letter through my door claiming they were unable to read the meter is mind boggling. The person delivering the letter had to be no more than two foot (unobstructed) from my meter box. In additon, why was the letter pre-printed with my name and address? I cannot believe they carry a stock of pre printed letters for every house they have to visit, therefore I must question whether ever intended to take a reading on that visit.
As such, yes I am annoyed.

Shortcrust, if they are unable to answer what I feel are fairly reasonable questions in the circumstances then yes, since they are wasting my time I am certainly bl**dy minded enough to do my upmost to make their lives more difficult.

sacsquacco, I was thinking of contacting G4S because it sounds the company in question is one of their sub-contractors. Frankly I feel my meter readers are trying to pull a fast one on them and I thought they should know.

Catherine_Johnson, My sanity or lack there of is a matter for the men in white coats to decide on. However, until they catch me you and the rest of the world will just have to put up with me .
Have a nice day.

If your provider knows nothing about the situation then you should just ignore this company.
It might be helpfull if you named them here in case others have had dealings with them.

As far as I am aware, G4S do not use any sub contract meter readers except in remote access areas like the Highlands & Islands in Scotland and even then they try to do a deal with the householder to get readings directly from them.

lemontart

I take it that it is standard meter lock on the cupboard that has not been substituted, which would mean they could not get in the cupboard

ValHaller

torbrex wrote: »

If your provider knows nothing about the situation then you should just ignore this company.
It might be helpfull if you named them here in case others have had dealings with them.

While I understand the reasoning behind the suggestion to ignore, I would handle it differently.

I would send a very short letter to the meter reading company with a copy to my supplier (and keep a copy for myself). I would attach a copy of the letter threatening court action and I would

• state that the meter is in an accessible meter box
• advise the name of my supplier
• ask to be notified of any court action for a warrant to gain access
• advise that court action would be contested on the grounds that the only meter is accessible.
• offer a specific appointment at a convenient time for them to come and satisfy themselves that there is no other meter.

Keeping a copy of such a letter would leave you able to keep them on the back foot.

chanz4

It sounds like the letters our office send for meter inspections, normaly due to rp reasons. They sometimes dont look for boxes when they go out, your supplier will know if your name is on it rather not looking at notes. Whats the company called?

chanz4

ValHaller wrote: »

While I understand the reasoning behind the suggestion to ignore, I would handle it differently.

I would send a very short letter to the meter reading company with a copy to my supplier (and keep a copy for myself). I would attach a copy of the letter threatening court action and I would

• state that the meter is in an accessible meter box
• advise the name of my supplier
• ask to be notified of any court action for a warrant to gain access
• advise that court action would be contested on the grounds that the only meter is accessible.
• offer a specific appointment at a time convenient to yourself for them to come and satisfy themselves that there is no other meter.

Keeping a copy of such a letter would leave you able to keep them on the back foot.

• state that the meter is in an accessible meter box still private property, and if the reason Im thinking maybe flagged for something else.
• advise the name of my supplier
• ask to be notified of any court action for a warrant to gain access this is normaly notified
• advise that court action would be contested on the grounds that the only meter is accessible. depends on the reason for application, if under 2b of gas act this wont be blocked.
• offer a specific appointment at a time convenient to yourself for them to come and satisfy themselves that there is no other meter. if they suspect another meter, eg sub meter I can guess what company it is.

Stompa

Forestchook wrote: »

To clarify:
My orginianl objection was to being asked to do a job they are being paid to do!

This has got to be a joke surely?

ValHaller

chanz4 wrote: »

• advise that court action would be contested on the grounds that the only meter is accessible. depends on the reason for application, if under 2b of gas act this wont be blocked.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/45/section/2/enacted

There is no 2b. Can you identify the section in question? Because I tend to think that on a matter of fact relating to physical arrangement of OP's property and installation, there might not be a legal basis to grant access into OP's house. Which is what is strongly implied here.