Not allowed access to meters

ChumpusRex

I'm just wondering what the situation with this is.

A while ago I lived in a block of flats where all the utility meters were held in a locked plant room. There was no resident access to this room, under any circumstances for "health and safety" and "security" reasons.

If I wanted a reading, I could leave a note for the caretaker asking for a read, and they would read the meters the next Monday (or whatever day they next came in). This caused enormous grief as it eventually turned out that the meters were all mixed up and attached to the wrong flats' bills (and the economy 7 meters all went haywire, as there were too many meters in one reinforced basement room, and their clocks couldn't pick up the time signal, so went crazy). However, it took several years before we were able to get to the bottom of this.

I'm going to be moving shortly, and this same arrangement with the utilities is in place at the new site.

I'm just wondering whether this is now considered good practice, as originally I'd thought that this was a one-off. It's certainly very inconvenient if you're trying to look into a utility problem or faulty meter.

Cardew

Many people have reported the same problem of non-access to meter rooms.

[Deleted User]

I see a lot of this, what do they think they mean about " health and safety " "security ". The security of your correct bills is more important than these jobsworths. There is no dangers in meter rooms whatsoever. They sometimes quote fire doors which must be kept shut, shut yes , locked no. Its disgraceful and proberbly illegal keeping you from your meter, and like a lot of flats there are crossed meters from some idiot who initially logged them all. you need to get in to do a load test to spot your own meter. Best of luck mate

Wywth

ChumpusRex wrote: »

I'm just wondering what the situation with this is.

A while ago I lived in a block of flats where all the utility meters were held in a locked plant room. There was no resident access to this room, under any circumstances for "health and safety" and "security" reasons.

If I wanted a reading, I could leave a note for the caretaker asking for a read, and they would read the meters the next Monday (or whatever day they next came in). This caused enormous grief as it eventually turned out that the meters were all mixed up and attached to the wrong flats' bills (and the economy 7 meters all went haywire, as there were too many meters in one reinforced basement room, and their clocks couldn't pick up the time signal, so went crazy). However, it took several years before we were able to get to the bottom of this.

I'm going to be moving shortly, and this same arrangement with the utilities is in place at the new site.

I'm just wondering whether this is now considered good practice, as originally I'd thought that this was a one-off. It's certainly very inconvenient if you're trying to look into a utility problem or faulty meter.

As the customer and account holder, you have an obligation to provide access to the meter (it is not yours ) to the energy provider (or their representative) on request/notice.

How can you provide access if you don't have access yourself? :huh:

Also the isolation swith/valve is often located by the meter (especially for gas), so that could be a H&S issue itself if you don't have access to it.

Demand access, or get a locksmith to give you access
(It'll be cheaper than the supplier getting an entry warrant and a bailiff and a locksmith to gain entry)

If the new place has a simlar set-up, pull out now unless the LL will provide access.

Wolf3

These situations are usually caused by the L/L being worried about meter theft or tampering. Seems silly to put under the banner of "Health & Safety" It certainly is a catch 22 situation but shouldn't stop the L/L from providing a contact number to gain access or actually being given a key

timbo58

agree with wywth.
The energy provider has an legal obligation to physically read the meter at least twice per year (or so they told me recently) hence I cannot believe a controller of the plant room in a block is not allowing the bill payer(s) to even see the meters.
What do they do when British gas etc pop round for a reading? tell them they'll send it on a post it note?

[Deleted User]

Wolf3 wrote: »

These situations are usually caused by the L/L being worried about meter theft or tampering. Seems silly to put under the banner of "Health & Safety" It certainly is a catch 22 situation but shouldn't stop the L/L from providing a contact number to gain access or actually being given a key

I am always on the look out for meter bypassing, can t say I ve ever seen one in a communal meter cupboard. Its just heavy handed management thinking they can get away with bossing the tenants. Locking all the meters away is ridiculous, there could be a dozen different suppliers in a large meter cupboard.How are people going to be able to put monthly readings in. These meters are not owned by the Landlord and they should nt be stopping tenants access to them.
On the odd occasion Ive had a battle with a landlord to get into see meters its because the Landlord himself had been bypassing

ValHaller

Wolf3 wrote: »

These situations are usually caused by the L/L being worried about meter theft or tampering. Seems silly to put under the banner of "Health & Safety" It certainly is a catch 22 situation but shouldn't stop the L/L from providing a contact number to gain access or actually being given a key

I agree. It is not Health and Safety. It is more reasonable to argue that it is either Data Protection or Child Protection, as it is hard to claim it is to prevent Terrorism

ChumpusRex

timbo58 wrote: »

agree with wywth.
What do they do when British gas etc pop round for a reading? tell them they'll send it on a post it note?

If the caretaker is in, the caretaker will let them in to the meter room to read the meters.
If the caretaker isn't in, the meter reader is instructed to make an appointment by telephone.

Wywth

ChumpusRex wrote: »

If the caretaker is in, the caretaker will let them in to the meter room to read the meters.
If the caretaker isn't in, the meter reader is instructed to make an appointment by telephone.

If the caretaker is in, presumably he can grant you access to the meter.

For when the caretaker isn't in, ask him how you are expected to gain access in an emergency? e.g. perhaps he could leave a key with someone who will be in when he isn't.

Or as I said, tell the LL you want a key of your own, and if it's not provided, get a locksmith to give you one. Don't even think of moving to a new place with the same issue.

You, as the account holder & customer, are liable for providing access to the meter by the supplier, not the caretaker.

ollski

There should be an emergency control valve to isolate the gas in each individual flat.