Not allowed access to meters

Gordon_Hose

ollski wrote: »

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

We certainly had one.

Having recently moved out of a flat with a similar set up, I feel your pain. Luckily our Gas meters were outside in individual brown boxes, but the leccy meters were altogether in one locked cupboard.

We discovered that meter cupboards all have the same lock/key. So we went to Timpson and asked them for an electricity meter cupboard key and they sold us one.

Shortly after we started reading our own meter we got snotty letters for the management agency requesting we stop accessing the cupboard due to "health and safety" reasons. We carried on reading our meters regardless.

I would never buy another flat with the same set up, it's a Grade A pain in the backside.

GwylimT

Our electricity and gas meters are in one room downstairs, we all have a key to this room, we then have individual keys to access our own meter boxes, if we lose our key or if we are not in when the power company comes to read the meter our care takers (always someone here 9-7 7 days a week and 24 call out available) is able to give them access to our meter.

lemontart

You are supposed to have access to your gas meter for safety reasons - if you cannot access it to turn gas off in emergency the whole block may be turned off outside if emergency engineers cannot get to it or the police may be called and/or a locksmith to gain access to make safe.

ChumpusRex

Wywth wrote: »

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.

Apparently, the problem is that the meter room contains some lift machinery (presumably fenced off in a separate compartment, or maybe they mean it just contains the electricity supply to the lift).

The management did (apparently) ask their liability insurers, at my request, what the situation was, and the insurers have demanded strictly no access except to authorized representatives of the building manager, and appropriate authorized engineering personnel for reasons of "health and safety" and "security".

No gas supply to this block, so the issue of emergency gas access isn't relevant.

[Deleted User]

I think the only way for the management to relax this routine is to hit them in the wallet. Move to another rental flat ( if its rented ) citing that reason why you are moving. Losing at least £400 to £600 monthly rental whilst they re let it will get them to think again

southcoastrgi

If we are talking gas meters then you MUST have access to the ECV (emergency control valve) at all times, you should have another control valve where the gas supply enters your flat, however if you have no access to the main one then this is AR (at risk) in a non emergency situation however in an emergency situation this becomes ID (immediatly dangerious), when you have a service done if you cannot let the engineer gain access to the meter then they should turn off your supply, like I said you MUST BE GIVEN ACCESS TO YOUR METER & ECV

spiro

timbo58 wrote: »

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?

Once every ywo years not twice a year and with elec the 2 years restarts every time you change supplier.

Wywth

ChumpusRex wrote: »

Apparently, the problem is that the meter room contains some lift machinery (presumably fenced off in a separate compartment, or maybe they mean it just contains the electricity supply to the lift).

The management did (apparently) ask their liability insurers, at my request, what the situation was, and the insurers have demanded strictly no access except to authorized representatives of the building manager, and appropriate authorized engineering personnel for reasons of "health and safety" and "security".

No gas supply to this block, so the issue of emergency gas access isn't relevant.

Nonsense. Find out who the insurer is and speak to them directly and explain the situation. If it's potentially dangerous, it's potentially dangerous to any meter reader.

Whatever is potentially dangerous should be guarded off. Then access to your meters granted.

(according to what you post, even a meter reader couldn't view the meters )

Get a locksmith to grant you access, and if you then see anything unsafe, report it.

Have you found anywhere new to move to yet, because as I said, reject the place you planned to move to, and yes, tell them why!