Gas Man come to read the meter... refusing access?

tincat

Hi all,

I've just had someone from the gas / electric knock on the door. Usually I'm not even here during the mornings, but happened to be today.

He seemed shocked that I wouldn't let him in and I said I'd call in my meter reading for the electric. The gas reading is outside, by the front door so he could get that one without entry.

I am feeling all unsettled now, but if I hadn't been here, they wouldn't have got a reading either, so they must be used to not getting readings in person.

Have I done something silly, or doesn't it matter?

espresso

tincat wrote: »

Have I done something silly, or doesn't it matter?

Yes they are required to read your meter periodically regardless of any customer readings that you may provide. You may have to take time off to have it read now!

taketwo

I believe they have a right to actually see the meter and take their own reading regularly, which I think is every two years!

You haven't actually said why you didn't want him in, you could have taken his number and a phone number and checked his credentials, if you were really worried, but it is his job, so he's in and out of people's houses every day!

tincat

I work very close to home so I can nip back in a couple of minutes. I am happy to let people in if they send notice saying - 'a man will be round on this day and this time to read your meter'.

However, I know how easy it is to make up an official looking badge / photo card, and I'm not going to let someone in to 'case the joint' when it's just me at home.

What can they do about it? Also for the people who work full days, what happens with them? Eventually I presume, if the gas co really want readings, they will send them a notice.... is that right?

I would rather wait till I get a notice. They surely can't penalise me in any other way?

tincat

Hi Taketwo,

I've only been in this house for 3 months, so have plenty of time to arrange a meter reading if it's 2 years requirement.

To be really honest, I hate, hate, hate, having people in my house if I'm not expecting them. I enjoy having visitors and entertaining, but always know in advance.

I get snippy and anxious when someone arrives unexpectedly.

Wierd? yes, I'm not excusing it. But I couldn't let him in.

Elsiesgirl

Hi tincat

You were quite right to refuse entry if you were unsure. The powerw that be can arrange an appointment with you if they have to read your meter and will probably be happy to do so. You can't be too careful nowadays.

Elsiesgirl

Cardew

One of the reasons they need to see the meter is to ensure that it has not been tampered with.

It is one of the conditions of having a supply that you must allow them access to inspect and read the meter.

Can you imagine the cost and complication of every utility company having to write to the many millions of customers to "arrange an appointment" to have a meter read? You seem to think that is a reasonable requirement to cater for what you admit to being 'wierd' behaviour?

tincat

Cardew wrote: »

Can you imagine the cost and complication of every utility company having to write to the many millions of customers to "arrange an appointment" to have a meter read? You seem to think that is a reasonable requirement to cater for what you admit to being 'wierd' behaviour?

Well I don't think you can be too careful either. It's not only because I prefer not to let strangers in, but also because I used to make id cards in a previous job, and it's really easy to make up professional ones.

Also, the man didn't offer to give me his i.d. to phone for verification, but actually said that it might not be on record as they get given a whole lot of addresses to cover each week. That also seems really unsafe.

Again I ask, what do they do in the case of people who just aren't home?

The person also didn't offer me one of those cards I got from another provider saying 'someone called and you weren't home - phone here etcetc'.

Badger_Lady

Yes, I wasn't happy when he came to my house unexpectedly - I did let him in extremely reluctantly, because it just didn't seem right.

I quizzed him for 10 minutes before opening the inner door, and felt very anxious until he left - call me weird but I don't like strange men turning up at my door!

Cardew

Elsiesgirl wrote: »

Hi tincat

You were quite right to refuse entry if you were unsure. The powerw that be can arrange an appointment with you if they have to read your meter and will probably be happy to do so. You can't be too careful nowadays.

Elsiesgirl

So are you seriously suggesting that nobody allows in any meter reader for gas, electricity, water? even if they have photo ID - which they all carry?

On what grounds? that they are going to 'case the joint'

Wouldn’t you consider that paranoid behaviour?

lindens

The best thing to do is ask him to post his ID thru your letter box, 99% of companies have a phone number on there so you can verify his ID. Otherwise within the next 2 years you will get a card demanding access which can be a mutually arranged time between yourselves, so just wait for that if you'd rather.
It sounds like he was making excuses to me and I wouldn't have let him in either.