Utility Meter Covers???

FesureMaybe

Hi there, Im renting a property and currently in a dispute with my landlady.

I had my utility meter box covers vandalized. One was ripped off and snapped into three pieces and other ripped off at hinges. Which I have logged with the police and they said as Its not my house I cant report it the landlady has to.

Shes claiming I have to pay for the replacement of them but I thought she had to deal with anything exterior to the property.

If anyone can shed a little light I be really grateful even if it does turn out I have to pay for it!

dancingfairy

Surely the LL pays? Also seems weird that the police wouldn't take your reports of vandalism seriously just because you are the tenant. I don't think there's much you can do though. You reported it to the police, it's not your problem.
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artbaron

It's her house, she pays. Also the police are talking garbage. You are perfectly entitled to report a crime against someone else's property, they're just trying to get out of doing their job.

ihatemyhouse

don't bother replacing them, when the utility come around they wont be bothered either

MamaMoo_2

Police are talking out of their backsides. Anyone can report a crime.
It's like saying "sorry, you can't report a murder as you're not the dead bloke!"
Idiots.

camptownraces

FesureMaybe wrote: »

Hi there, Im renting a property and currently in a dispute with my landlady.

I had my utility meter box covers vandalized. One was ripped off and snapped into three pieces and other ripped off at hinges. Which I have logged with the police and they said as Its not my house I cant report it the landlady has to.

Shes claiming I have to pay for the replacement of them but I thought she had to deal with anything exterior to the property.

If anyone can shed a little light I be really grateful even if it does turn out I have to pay for it!

Police are talking nonsense. For the duration of the tenancy, it's your house.

Have you contacted the utility companies? My understanding is that the meters and their cupboards are THEIR property. are they sited outdoors, or within your flat/house?

t0rt0ise

camptownraces wrote: »

Have you contacted the utility companies? My understanding is that the meters and their cupboards are THEIR property. are they sited outdoors, or within your flat/house?

I think you'll find that the cupboard and covers are not the responsibility of the utility company but the house owner.

G_M

Write two letters- this will cover you from any liability.

1) to the landlady, informing her of the damage to her property

2) to the police, reporting a crime and requesting a crime number, plus referring to your previous attempt to report.

Sorted.

Johnandabby

You can buy replacement covers yourself fairly cheaply on-line, but don't see how this is your problem - you didn't break them, your landlord is therefore responsible for replacing them (if they choose to - I always see lots of broken covers around) and they can claim on their insurance if they want to.

However, worth seeing if you can resolve this now, otherwise your landlord may try to deduct it from your deposit when you leave.