Unable to access utility meters

Mishomeister

The story is:

I have moved to a new property and have switched utility provider there to nPower.

Since then they have already asked me 2-3 times for meter readings.
The problem is that those are locked in the meters room downstairs( I live in a block of flats) and I have no key for this.

I was able to get thereading twice from the electrician doing some work on behalf of the agency as he has some kind of universal keys that has worked for the lock.

I have asked the agency for the copy of the key. Electrician then went to the key shop and they have sold him the key called F1 which supposedly is the same key as the one used by the Electrician. The only difference is that this key would not :mad: open that door.

Agency now wants to was their hands off saying I have to contact building management company.
In fact I have tried to do that once in the past and the Management Company guy has told me on the phone that he will ask the cleaners to take take the readings for me. I have made that request about 3 months ago and have never heard of the since.

I have also contacted nPower asking them for the copy of the key their Meater Reader has used about 3 weeks ago when he came to take meter readings.
The lady from nPower has contacted the company who do meter readings for them. They have declined to provide me with the copy of the key motivating it that the key is from the public area.

I appears they don't care either.

Now my question is what are my rights for accessing the meters? Who could I comlaint to and which law/act could I mention to either of the above mentionned parties?

wealdroam

This question would be better on The Housing Board or The Energy Board.

paddyrg

Is it just the Meyer you can't access, or is it also your main distribution panel? Pretty sure you have a good case for needing to access your breakers.

What's the lock like? Many meter cabinets use really dumb keys, and a set of pliers will open them no problem.

ShadowPuma

Does it look like this? Ours are locked with Spline locks and I had to get a long spline key.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNjAw/z/fUQAAMXQuTNTNbSd/$_35.JPG?set_id=8800005007

Mishomeister

paddyrg wrote: »

Many meter cabinets use really dumb keys, and a set of pliers will open them no problem.

As per my OP it is the room not the cabinet.

Mishomeister

ShadowPuma wrote: »

Does it look like this? Ours are locked with Spline locks and I had to get a long spline key.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNjAw/z/fUQAAMXQuTNTNbSd/$_35.JPG?set_id=8800005007

No.Nothinhg like this.

anna42hmr

Mishomeister wrote: »

No.Nothinhg like this.

does it look like a normal key lock? the lock and key on my flats electricity cupboard door looks like a standard yale type key (its apparently not though as is a security lock key) I did not get one from my vendor for the flat i purchased recently, however the management agent for the building arranged for a copy and gave that to me.


whilst we were waiting on a copy a neighbour we got talking to when we first started going there to decorate etc used his so that i could get a reading submitted (as he saw us going through the set of keys that we had from the vendor trying to work out if any of them were the cupboard one. is there any one in the block you could see has a copy of the key?

nom_de_plume

No guarantees but often meter cupboards use an FB1 or FB2 key. These are standard keys for areas that the Fire Brigade may need to access to deal with emergencies. They are readily available for a couple of quid.

martyn05

My daughter just moved into an apartment and was unable to access the meter cupboards (gas, electric and water). Being a locksmith, I went round with my fire brigade keys and FB2 opened them all. I got my daughter a spare key, all sorted now.

wealdroam

OP, have you managed to get into your meter room yet?

If so, what was your resolution?

agrinnall

If this is still going on, perhaps the OP could explain what "the agency" is. Is it a rental property and it's the Letting Agency that you're referring to? If so, I would suggest that you tell them that you expect either them or the landlord to intercede with the Management Company to get you either a copy of the key or access to the room whenever you need it given reasonable notice.