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I don't want my gas meter outside my home

nbc
nbc Posts: 65 Forumite
National grid (or who ever they are called) are re-doing all the gas pipes in my area. A chap came round to find out about the gas pipes that are in the small block of flats where i live.

They are talking about putting the meters outside, which i do not want.
The fact that i am in a ground floor flat, these people that live here are (putting it politely) idiots. I know for a fact the meter will get vandalized within days.

Do i legally have to let them move my gas meter outside my home, if they do i know that i am going to be spending my life, calling them up to repair it.

Thank you.

Comments

  • CKhalvashi
    CKhalvashi Posts: 12,134 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You can mention it to them, but I don't think it will make a lot of difference, if I'm honest.

    Someone owns the meter, but it's not you, so it won't be your problem.

    CK
    💙💛 💔
  • Wywth
    Wywth Posts: 5,079 Forumite
    nbc wrote: »
    National grid (or who ever they are called) are re-doing all the gas pipes in my area. A chap came round to find out about the gas pipes that are in the small block of flats where i live.

    They are talking about putting the meters outside, which i do not want.
    The fact that i am in a ground floor flat, these people that live here are (putting it politely) idiots. I know for a fact the meter will get vandalized within days.

    Do i legally have to let them move my gas meter outside my home, if they do i know that i am going to be spending my life, calling them up to repair it.

    Thank you.

    Any change to the exterior of the property would probably have to be agreed by the freeholder. I don't think it's your call.

    Perhaps speak to the freeholder or management company about your security concerns and see what they come up with :)
  • nbc
    nbc Posts: 65 Forumite
    It is council property. No formal (or any) letter has been sent by them saying i have to have my meter outside my home.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 16 June 2013 at 2:22PM
    nbc wrote: »
    It is council property. No formal (or any) letter has been sent by them saying i have to have my meter outside my home.
    Its got nothing to do with the council, National Grid own the meters and its up to them where they want to site the meter. I havent come accross any meter vandalism much in all the years. If ever the youth of UK caught onto the damage they could do in mindless vandalism of gas meters, eg switching off the control valve, then people would be in trouble. So far I havent come accross that. Sad to say tho , that sometimes people will request their outside meters to be positioned inside so meter bypassing and tampering can be done much more easily out of sight of anyone, I am not trying to suggest that that is your motives, but meter vandalism seems rare and not a big problem . I get much more complaints about meters being in the way inside and want them outside. When they find out the cost of moving meters ( £500 /£700 ), they lose interest. Getting it done for free would be a bonus
  • nbc
    nbc Posts: 65 Forumite
    Meters in my area do get vandalized and it is not necessarily the youth that are to blame.

    I have CCTV at my home and the things i have seen the adults do, would make Darwin sigh.

    I'll see what happens on Monday, if necessary it will be the decision of the courts.

    And no! i have no intention of meter tampering, not that type of person.
  • Haarlem
    Haarlem Posts: 345 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Main in street and all services to houses replaced December 2012.

    Contractor working for NG visited us and gave us a choice. We opted for inside with no problems.
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Perhaps these flats currently have internal steel risers and it is therefore impractical to renew them internally? It isnt unknown for external meterboxes to get vandalised. It depends on the area though you can get steel meterboxes. Meters do get nicked out of outside boxes sometimes. You can find them on sale on Ebay. Come to think of it,you could pick up a spare one on there if yours gets nicked.
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • nbc
    nbc Posts: 65 Forumite
    Haarlem wrote: »
    Main in street and all services to houses replaced December 2012.

    Contractor working for NG visited us and gave us a choice. We opted for inside with no problems.


    Thank you for the info :beer:
  • ic
    ic Posts: 3,459 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I wish they'd give me the option of having the meter outside for free. The thing clunks and clicks away in the corner of my living room just behind the sofa. Last time I checked it would cost me £100s just in their labour charges to move it.
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