Letting agent won't give us meter readings

Esler24

Hi, we have just moved out of a property two weeks ago and are still waiting on a meter reading. The letting agency keep saying they have no key and will have to speak to the landlord but we have just had to pay another bill even though we have aleady moved out as we cant close the account until we have a meter reading. Can they do this or how do I get a meter reading??

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Well, obviously you have no access rights to a property you no longer pay for. You'll just have to hope the LL is favourable to your request.

Why didn't you take a reading on the day you left?

CKhalvashi

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

Why didn't you take a reading on the day you left?

This would be my question, too.

Nada666

The clue is 'the letting agency had no key'. I suggest the tenant didn't, either.

OP, you should have just provided an estimate to close your account - I assume you know your last reading and how much you use over summer. It is pretty straightforward to make an accurate assumption.

macman

Are you referring to a front door key or a meter key?
I find it hard to believe the agent does not hold a master door key.

matelodave

It was up to you to read your own meter when you left and hopefully you've done it yourself in your new place.
Never ever trust someone else to do it - if you do it yourself you know it's been done and done correctly

naedanger

Esler24 wrote: »

Hi, we have just moved out of a property two weeks ago and are still waiting on a meter reading. The letting agency keep saying they have no key and will have to speak to the landlord but we have just had to pay another bill even though we have aleady moved out as we cant close the account until we have a meter reading. Can they do this or how do I get a meter reading??

I would get in touch with your energy supplier (i.e. of the property you vacated) and explain the situation. Then ask them to send round a meter reader, since I would have thought they would have a right of access. That said it might taken them time to gain access.

Make sure you keep a record of contacting the supplier with this request e.g. if you speak to them on the phone then send a follow up email confirming what was agreed.

[Deleted User]

naedanger wrote: »

I would get in touch with your energy supplier (i.e. of the property you vacated) and explain the situation. Then ask them to send round a meter reader, since I would have thought they would have a right of access. That said it might taken them time to gain access.

Make sure you keep a record of contacting the supplier with this request e.g. if you speak to them on the phone then send a follow up email confirming what was agreed.

Suppliers wont be attempting to gain access just to get a closing read, it could take many hours for a meter reader to get this one reading. Rights of access only come with expensive warrants ( and locksmiths ), a last resort really. The standand routine is for the supplier to accept an estimated read based on last readings and known usage,agreed with the gaining supplier. Letting agent will have keys or the knowledge of who has got them if they want to continue showing people around the property, but I dont think they will be too keen to spend their own time because someone has nt had the sense to photo the meters on vacating

naedanger

sacsquacco wrote: »

Suppliers wont be attempting to gain access just to get a closing read, it could take many hours for a meter reader to get this one reading. Rights of access only come with expensive warrants ( and locksmiths ), a last resort really. The standand routine is for the supplier to accept an estimated read based on last readings and known usage,agreed with the gaining supplier. Letting agent will have keys or the knowledge of who has got them if they want to continue showing people around the property, but I dont think they will be too keen to spend their own time because someone has nt had the sense to photo the meters on vacating

OK thanks for the information. I will slightly modify my advice to the original poster. You should notify your supplier as soon as possible. You are potentially liable for usage until you notify them. Once you notify them your liability for usage stops. (Not sure what happens if there is a dispute over the estimated usage to the date you gave notice. Hopefully disputes are rare.)

lstar337

sacsquacco wrote: »

Letting agent will have keys or the knowledge of who has got them if they want to continue showing people around the property, but I dont think they will be too keen to spend their own time because someone has nt had the sense to photo the meters on vacating

The letting agent should have done a new read anyway for their own records and for the new tenants inventory.

matelodave

naedanger wrote: »

OK thanks for the information. I will slightly modify my advice to the original poster. You should notify your supplier as soon as possible. You are potentially liable for usage until you notify them. Once you notify them your liability for usage stops. (Not sure what happens if there is a dispute over the estimated usage to the date you gave notice. Hopefully disputes are rare.)

If you read the meter and send the info in to your supplier you shouldn't have an estimate as it's an actual read and shouldn't be subject to any queries. Even better if you take a photo as you leave.
However if you don't read it yourself and close down the account you would still be liable for standing charges and any consumption until a reading has been notified and agreed which could be weeks or even months if another tenant doesn't go in and submit his own reading. It could prove to be a costly omission