Is this right?

bbk87

I live in a block of flats, and I live on the third floor, which is the top floor. I rent my flat from private landlady.

My electricity meter is on the ground floor in a cupboard under the stairs, with all the electric meters.

I do not have a key to this cupboard. So I cannot take regular meter readings. Since I've been here I've been able to take two readings, once when I moved in, in August, and another in October.

The caretaker has the keys to the meters, and he lives in a separate block on the top floor. If I need the key I have to phone him (he rarely answers the phone so sometimes I cannot get hold of him).

Is it OK / right that I am not allowed a key to this cupboard?

PurplePow

I have exactly this same arrangement in my flat (I live on the third floor (top flat) and meter is under the stairs. We have to ring the management company to get someone to read the meter and post it as a note in our letterbox. The 'handyman' that does this only does it on a Thursday. It's very frustrating when changing utility companies, and I imagine this is going to cause some issues when I move (my flat is currently for sale!). The management company refuse to let us have the key code for the meter cupboard.

bbk87

It's really annoying that whenever I want to read the meter, I need to phone someone to ask for the key to gain access.

I thought I may have had a right to have a key to this, seeing as I am paying the electricity to my flat, and need to read the meter for my bills to be accurate.

patman99

If you can access the hallway without a key, then a crowbar to the meter cuboard door is the solution to the problem.

Or, make sure to phone the caretaker every week without fail as you need to check your meter readings. He will soon get fed-up and give you a key. After all, it's your meter and you have a right to acess it in order to read it (or top it up if it is a card meter) whenever you wish to.

PurplePow

patman99 wrote: »

If you can access the hallway without a key, then a crowbar to the meter cuboard door is the solution to the problem.

Or, make sure to phone the caretaker every week without fail as you need to check your meter readings. He will soon get fed-up and give you a key. After all, it's your meter and you have a right to acess it in order to read it (or top it up if it is a card meter) whenever you wish to.

The management company don't really care tbh, if I ring for a reading every week they'll just say OK. It's a very large complex and every building isn't allowed access to their meter cupboards. The gas and water meters are outside so I can at least access those!

nubbins

Is there no code on the lock?

G_M

What kind of meter cupboard is it?

if it's a purpose-designed cupboard it probably has a standard key.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/meter-cupboard-key/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Ameter%20cupboard%20key

misspickle_2

So what happens when leccy man comes round to read the meters?
Estimated bills are no good.
Knock his door very loudly every time you want to read the meter. Post him letters. Be a nuisance
If it were me I'd have been given my own key by now

bbk87

What they have done is they've put a door under the stairs, and put a Yale lock on it. It's just a normal door, not like a front door, but more of an internal door.

My gas meter is within my flat, so I don't have issues with that luckily.

I've spoken to some other people in my building, and they say they never bother reading their electric meters!

I was thinking of getting the key... then quickly popping down to the dry cleaners to get a key cut there.

misspickle_2

bbk87 wrote: »

What they have done is they've put a door under the stairs, and put a Yale lock on it. It's just a normal door, not like a front door, but more of an internal door.

My gas meter is within my flat, so I don't have issues with that luckily.

I've spoken to some other people in my building, and they say they never bother reading their electric meters!

I was thinking of getting the key... then quickly popping down to the dry cleaners to get a key cut there.

that's what I would do :T

Cut that key honey lol