Mess left by gas company entry while we were away

timbstoke

We were away on holiday last week. On Monday, somebody reported a smell of gas in the street outside, and as a result the appropriate people (National Grid?) came out. As part of their testing they also stuck probes through our letterbox. When the reading came back high, they had to gain entry (fortunately we'd left a key with a neighbour so they didn't need to force entry) to check our meter and various points in our home.

No problem so far - obviously this is necessary and absolutely fine. It turned out that the leak was in the main pipe in the street, so nothing actually needed to be done in our home, but of course they weren't to know that.

However, in order to get to the various corners of the room to take their readings, they moved furniture and various other things to the middle of the room, and then just left them there in a pile. If a neighbour hadn't warned us that they'd been in, we'd have thought we'd been burgled given the mess they left.

Coming in and taking readings I can understand, but trashing our home and not having the decency to put things even vaguely back in the right place is a touch out of order. Do they have a code of conduct for this kind of thing that says they're supposed to at least make some attempt to make good any mess they make as part of their work? Who would I complain to about this?

Nada666

I think their priority is detecting the location and source of explosive gas leaks. I certainly would not want them to move things back in place. I'll do that myself, thanks, not some hi-viz vest wearing part-time Llewellyn-Bowen.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Wow. Just, wow.

naedanger

timbstoke wrote: »

We were away on holiday last week. On Monday, somebody reported a smell of gas in the street outside, and as a result the appropriate people (National Grid?) came out. As part of their testing they also stuck probes through our letterbox. When the reading came back high, they had to gain entry (fortunately we'd left a key with a neighbour so they didn't need to force entry) to check our meter and various points in our home.

No problem so far - obviously this is necessary and absolutely fine. It turned out that the leak was in the main pipe in the street, so nothing actually needed to be done in our home, but of course they weren't to know that.

However, in order to get to the various corners of the room to take their readings, they moved furniture and various other things to the middle of the room, and then just left them there in a pile. If a neighbour hadn't warned us that they'd been in, we'd have thought we'd been burgled given the mess they left.

Coming in and taking readings I can understand, but trashing our home and not having the decency to put things even vaguely back in the right place is a touch out of order. Do they have a code of conduct for this kind of thing that says they're supposed to at least make some attempt to make good any mess they make as part of their work? Who would I complain to about this?

I believe it is the National Grid you should complain to.

I personally think you have a legitimate complaint if they left no card or notice explaining what had happened.

However if they haven't actually done any damage then I would not expect anything more than an explanation, and perhaps an apology if a card should have been left.

That said, I also think if they spoke to the neighbours on their own initiative they are to be commended for doing that rather than just forcing entry.

Cardew

naedanger wrote: »

That said, I also think if they spoke to the neighbours on their own initiative they are to be commended for doing that rather than just forcing entry.

IMO as the neighbours gave them access, a written note would hardly be required; especially as there would be some urgency to locate a potentially dangerous gas leak.


'Never mind the gas leak Bert, write a nice note and perhaps a bunch of flowers would be a nice touch!'

naedanger

Cardew wrote: »

IMO as the neighbours gave them access, a written note would hardly be required; especially as there would be some urgency to locate a potentially dangerous gas leak.


'Never mind the gas leak Bert, write a nice note and perhaps a bunch of flowers would be a nice touch!'

Of course they should first make sure there is no immediate danger. But having done so is it really that difficult to leave a note or pre-printed card?

Could those who entered be sure that the neighbours would be able to tell them what had happened?

If you came home and found the place had been entered would you be alarmed? If not, can you see that some other people might be?

PasturesNew

If I knew somebody well enough to have their keys, I'd have taken it upon myself to put everything back for you so you'd never have known it was left out until I said .... and then you'd have not minded as I'd done it for you.

Nothing was damaged, nothing broken, nothing taken. They are emergency services and not interior designers.

I'd guess that you were treated properly and fairly in the circumstances and it all turned out well in the end.

If it were me I'd probably have been a bit grateful as it'll have then forced me to wipe round the floor behind the furniture as it'd been so kindly moved away from the walls for me .... that'd save me having to get round to it, bit of a Brucie bonus.

C_Mababejive

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/2535/contents/made

[Deleted User]

" Trashing your home " why do I feel that "compo " is going to be claimed when a sentence like that is used..So was anything actually broken and damaged beyond repair or carpet stained with red wine etc?
National Grid had their heart in the right place trying to stop a possible explosion and could even been risking their own lives, so I d maybe give them the benefit of the doubt.The Police would nt mess about neither, they would ve just kicked the door down if they considered it an emergency.

kelpie35

Why did your neighbour, who you trusted with a key, not attempt to put your furniture etc back in place.

I would be questioning who I left a key with in future.

As long as there was no damage done to your move items I do not really think you have anything to complain about.

McKneff

Leaving your belongings in the middle of the room is hardly 'trashing' the place.