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

Badger_Lady

cardew wrote:

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

No, on the grounds that they're not really a meter man at all!

And I did once get stalked by my cable-fitter, who kept leaving things behind and phoning me to come back for them (once I can understand, but 4 times???), so even properly authorised people are not necessarily nice to have around.

tincat

Cardew, I must ask why you seem to be so scathing about this? I didn't feel happy letting him in. I want my elec provider to notify me if/when they are going to send an inspector. They send me a bill every month, so why can't they just pop a note in with the bill, to expect a meter reader on such and such day?

About a year ago, I had a guy at the door at my previous house who had my name, address (obviously) and wanted to do a reading and seemed v. official with id tags. Then he started asking questions about my bill etc and how I might not be on the right tariff.

I obviously didn't let him in to do the reading because of my feelings about this, but was ok answering a few questions at the door as I wanted a cheaper tariff. The !!!!!! was writing things on a form in answer to my questions, and then handed me a paper to sign. When I looked carefully at it, it was getting me to switch my elec provider completely. Only then did I really pay attention and tell him to get lost.

So, I don't believe everyone who comes to the door with an id tag and I won't let them in.

Zinger549

The gas people can't give everybody a note saying when they will be coming. They just pick a day and hope that someone will be in when they call. They should have ID and they often where clothing with company logo on it. If you just show him too the meter then you will be able to see what he is doing. It would waist a lot of time and money if they sent/called everybody telling them when the person would be coming to read the meter. You know that someone is going to come and read you meter at some stage so you just to bear that in mind.

gotnobread

tincat wrote: »

I want my elec provider to notify me if/when they are going to send an inspector. They send me a bill every month, so why can't they just pop a note in with the bill, to expect a meter reader on such and such day?

I think that's an excellent idea. Not sure it would be practical to include a note with your bill because it would be at least 3 months until your meter was next due to be read.

The request to read your meter is sent electronically from your supplier to their sub-contracted meter reading company, who have a target to respond within a certain time. It should be possible to send you an SMS or e-mail at the time this request is passed to the meter readers.

And I don't think your behaviour is paranoid either.

Cheers,
Gotnobread.

Cardew

tincat wrote: »

Cardew, I must ask why you seem to be so scathing about this?

You don’t need to justify any of your actions. However if you post on here, and ask for comments on those actions, do you not expect honest replies? It is difficult to escape the conclusion that you simply wanted reassurance.

In your first 3 posts made no mention of the meter reader not having any ID. The reason you gave was that you “hate, hate hate having people in my house if I am not expecting them” and that he might be there to ‘case the joint’. Admitting that your attitude was ‘weird’

It was not until your fourth post that you suddenly remembered:

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.

So presumably you asked him for his ID to phone for verification – I assume that’s how the “might not be on record” conversation occurred? and he refused to give you the ID?

To refuse entry to a purported meter reader who hasn’t got verifiable ID is not ‘weird’ it’s plain common sense. Had you mentioned this in the first post there would not have been any comment, other than you should have immediately contacted the police.

However it now transpires that even if they have an ID tag “you won’t let them in”. One wonders what you did in your previous house.

Certainly I am scathing about the idea that it is practical, sensible or necessary to change a tried and tested system and have an exchange of correspondence with some 30 million households to arrange, in advance, appointments with meter meters.

Also to my ‘scathing’ attitude you can add scepticism about the sequence of events!!

P.S.
One definition of paranoid is “exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others” Mmmm

tincat

Yes I can understand how it must have sounded rereading, so sorry for any confusion. He did have an id tag pinned to his T-shirt, but he didn't offer it to me or suggest I phone up, and I didn't ask, even though I know this is what most people do, because I didn't want to phone, have it proven that he's legit, and then I wouldn't have a reason to not let him in, if you see what I mean.:p

I do actually think he was a elec/gas employee (although he shouldn't assume that I know that), but I just don't think they should just expect everyone to let them in without an appointment or more proof of identity.

I was quite upset when I first posted as he was quite aggressive, and have since calmed down. When I first posted, I didn't think to include every experience I have ever had so that you'd have a complete background history of my paranoia or how events unfolded - I just wanted to know was there any consequence (other than teeing off the inspector) to not letting him in.

firespire

Round here, if your are not in, the reading company stick a card through and ask you to leave it out the following day with your meter reading on it. If you didn't want them in you could have offered to write down the number and pass it to them on the doorstep.
The gas companies used to advertise a service where their staff would have a special password they agreed with so you could verify they were who they said they were. I suspect you could ask them to come back at another time when someone else is with you if you are worried about being on your own.

I don't think they can be expected to make an appointment every time to read your meter, people will be complaining that they waited in and they didn't come at the right time and they would need a call centre for people wanting a different time than the one they were given.

I suspect they must try a variety of weekday/weekend meter reading sessions so they get as many as they can.
Our family have a holiday home and after a succession of customer made readings they arrange a mutually convent meter checking visit where they confirm nothing is untoward, don't know what happens if you disagree to these presumably they have the right to break in with the police to get access to their meters and cut you off if they wanted too.

qwilpen

just to add to the fun of this debate if the gas or electricity company consistantly get refused access or no replies at your property they can apply via a magistrates court for a warrant to enter your property . if nessesary using a locksmith etc to gain access.
so it realy is easier to let genuine meter readers in , chesh their id phone the company , etc if they refuse or dont have id call the police.

qwilpen

oh and by the way they will bill you for the warrant as well.

Elliesmum

tincat

If you were unsure - then to me you were well within your rights to refuse access. I'm sure at the moment they will just send you an estimated bill. Whenever I've not been in, I just get an estimated bill in the post that you can then send a customer reading in.

I'm also sure that if you *arrange* an appropriate time for you to have your meter read by the electric company, I'm am more than sure that they would be ok with this. This would then be agreed with you and then you wouldn't have any suprise visits - which I get the feeling from this thread is better for you.

firespire has given some good answers - hope this makes you feel better.

EM xx