Can I refuse access to meter reader?

Ich_2

Is the clue that the supply is capped off during renovation so nil consumption which would possibly be questioned as to why by the supplier etc.

Forestchook

chanz4 wrote: »

Okay , they now suspect a change of occupier without registering known as a void visit.

Sorry but what does that mean exactly? I must be missing something because if someone else was living there without telling the energy supplier then I'd be paying their bills! That's certainly not in my best interest.

I will be happy to let them inspect the property but they have not asked. As it stands even if I made an appointment with them I would not have to let them into the house because the meter is outside. Plus they want 3 working days to arrange an appointment, plenty of time to tidy things up if if I did have something to hide.

Ich, British gas know the supply is capped off and they don't seem concerned.

torbrex

Right so its not a meter reading company that has been in contact with you, its a debt collecting agency, that explains things a bit, I wish that you had mentioned it sooner.

They are acting on behalf of someone and that should be mentioned in the hand delivered letter that you have, you need to get in touch with them as soon as possible.

The warrant they will be applying for is not soley to enter your property but to take action to remove the meter and in doing so, they need to be sure that when they do, the property is secure.

It could be as simple as confirming that you are the new occupier of the property, confirming that the meter is still the same one that is on record as being at the property and also confirming that the supply is still capped and no gas is being used.


Situations like this can happen when a supply has been capped and also if a new occupier is present as well, it is easily resolved and a cool head is better than a hot one.

Another thing to remember is that the person you speak to at BG might not even know that the debt agency has been hired to investigate the situation, that request would have come from Revenue Protection and might not be on your internal file as yet.

[Deleted User]

if Face2face are a debt collecting company, they will be thick enough to not even carry a meter box key, or , because they think you are refusing access, there is no chance of the meter being easily accessible. Some of my work colleagues are lazy and if your property is difficult to get to ( 200 yard walk etc ) they wiil happily just log a no access or refused access code in their data collector.I go to a lot of " must read two year inspections " where its just a matter of a bit of effort, or knocking a bit louder to get the reading. You dont have some scary dogs around or "enter at your own risk " signs up do ?

Richie-from-the-Boro

I didn't post because I thought everyone was aware it was Face2face who are named regularly on this board. Debt collectors get paid per visit per letter and on and on, and the more visits and letters the more coin they earn and the better they like it.

chanz4

They dont just do debt collection, they also do meter investigations

Richie-from-the-Boro

Agreed chanz4, they do business to business and consumer debt collection, in fact they do almost anything anyone wants done in 'postcode / field foot fall' recovery terms. My point was I didn't enter the thread because I saw no benefit only additional costs for the O/P.

Refusing them entry at £35 a letter hand posted and £250 a visit will be just precisely what Face2face want, and preferably 10 visits and 20 letters which will add a~n~other £3200 to Face2face profits and £3200 to the O/P's costs. Getting on your high horse even when you are right can be very cost ineffective !

chanz4

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Agreed chanz4, they do business to business and consumer debt collection, in fact they do almost anything anyone wants done in 'postcode / field foot fall' recovery terms. My point was I didn't enter the thread because I saw no benefit only additional costs for the O/P.

Refusing them entry at £35 a letter hand posted and £250 a visit will be just precisely what Face2face want, and preferably 10 visits and 20 letters which will add a~n~other £3200 to Face2face profits and £3200 to the O/P's costs. Getting on your high horse even when you are right can be very cost ineffective !

fully agree, they want him to refuse access

ValHaller

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Refusing them entry at £35 a letter hand posted and £250 a visit will be just precisely what Face2face want, and preferably 10 visits and 20 letters which will add a~n~other £3200 to Face2face profits and £3200 to the O/P's costs. Getting on your high horse even when you are right can be very cost ineffective !

It is not entirely clear that the OP has a fuel debt here. OP is renovating and has possibly probably bought from someone who does have a fuel debt. Obviously, if OP does have a debt, then it would be better for him to tell us so we can give advice which matches the situation.

I am assuming OP does not have a debt - the only indicator is the presence of Face2Face - and that could be for someone completely different. If OP does not have a debt, then he should not be put off by fear of spurious charges from Face2face.

Fire_Fox

I *think* I have read on here that supplies which have been capped for a year the meter is removed. Property status and ownership details is not gleaned from the meter anyway, so you would need to deal with them. You need to read the letter more carefully before throwing your toys out of the pram, that is not a simple meter read letter.