Landlord won't let me access electric meter

03jatkin

I live in a rented flat and access to the electric metre is downstairs in some cupboards, this is locked and I don't have a key the only way to access it is for the landlord to bring a key and go inside.
They did this for an initial meter reading, but every time I try to get him to come he cancels and I have to chase him this has been ongoing for 3 weeks yet when I ask for my own key he refuses.

I imagine eventually I'll get a reading but I'd like to submit a monthly reading and chasing him every month would be an absolute nightmare!?

Do I have any rights that I can advise him on that means I have to have access to the meter???


Many thanks!
Jamie

ljonski

How is the meter read by the gas/elec companies?

Ms_Chocaholic

What sort of key do you need, one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meter-Box-Key-Keys-for-Gas-Electric-Utility-Cupboard-Black-Plastic-Triangle-Key-/300683484193?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item460221dc21

InsideInsurance

It sounds a similar situation we had, its not just in the white plastic box that requires the normal triangular key but a regular cupboard which the landlord uses to store their own things in (in our case it included spare keys to the other 5 flats and 8 houses on the development) with a mortice lock on it.

The electricity chap couldnt read our meter as we couldnt let him in but neither could he read the landlords meter for the developements outside and communal lights etc.

I dont know of any statutory rights you have but persistence of chasing them to come out because the meter man needed to visit etc eventually wore them down into giving us a copy of the key which was slightly sweetened for them by us also pointing out we'd be able to allow them in to read their meter at the same time too

03jatkin

Thats exactly the problem we are having, so you think harassing him regularly will annoy him to the point in which he will give me a key?
Thanks for all your help

InsideInsurance wrote: »

It sounds a similar situation we had, its not just in the white plastic box that requires the normal triangular key but a regular cupboard which the landlord uses to store their own things in (in our case it included spare keys to the other 5 flats and 8 houses on the development) with a mortice lock on it.

The electricity chap couldnt read our meter as we couldnt let him in but neither could he read the landlords meter for the developements outside and communal lights etc.

I dont know of any statutory rights you have but persistence of chasing them to come out because the meter man needed to visit etc eventually wore them down into giving us a copy of the key which was slightly sweetened for them by us also pointing out we'd be able to allow them in to read their meter at the same time too

03jatkin

ljonski wrote: »

How is the meter read by the gas/elec companies?

No by me looking at the numbers and reporting this back to the electric company

bod1467

Power companies will always want their own meter readers to check meters (at least once every two years, if not annually). So how do THEY get access to read the meters? (And THAT is what was being asked).

nick1986_2

Is it a communal cupboard space? If so maybe one of the neighbours has a key so might be worth asking?

Not sure where you stand legally etc but best to keep a good relationship with your landlord if you can so personally I wouldn't consider that route.

InsideInsurance

bod1467 wrote: »

Power companies will always want their own meter readers to check meters (at least once every two years, if not annually). So how do THEY get access to read the meters? (And THAT is what was being asked).

In my case, they didnt, until I managed to get a key.

Kept getting letters saying they need access and I kept saying that I'd love access too but they need to contact the freeholders to arrange it not me