My meter hasn't moved in a week

Jmoo

So after a whole load of electricity issues at my last flat, I've moved. And it seems I may have just entered another flat with electricity issues. It's all electric, and I was provided a meter reading when I moved in. Since then I've had a key to access the meter cupboard and mine seems to be the only meter that hasn't moved. I double checked with SSE which serial number was on record, and they gave me this meter. I'm worried this is going to be another long drawn out process if I upset the bees nest, when I suspect a fair few tenants would leave it. What's the best advice you can offer?

lstar337

Jmoo wrote: »

Since then I've had a key to access the meter cupboard and mine seems to be the only meter that hasn't moved.

Every time I look in the meter cupboard mine hasn't moved either, not one inch!

I'm glad though. It saves me having to find the little !!!!!! when I want to take a reading. :rotfl:

If the numbers are not advancing and you are sure the meter is yours, phone up your supplier and let them know. That is the limit of your involvement in the matter. They should take a look at it and replace if needed.

Eric_Disley

lstar337 wrote: »

Every time I look in the meter cupboard mine hasn't moved either, not one inch!

I'm glad though. It saves me having to find the little !!!!!! when I want to take a reading. :rotfl:

If the numbers are not advancing and you are sure the meter is yours, phone up your supplier and let them know. That is the limit of your involvement in the matter. They should take a look at it and replace if needed.

Might also be worth sending an email / letter, to prove you notified them.

Jmoo

I spoke to a manager the last time I had problems like this, would contacting them be evidence enough? Just thinking they're usually a better person to speak to than a CS agent.

They did say originally when I moved they had two meters on the system, and deleted one off...

Eric_Disley

Jmoo wrote: »

I spoke to a manager the last time I had problems like this, would contacting them be evidence enough? Just thinking they're usually a better person to speak to than a CS agent.

They did say originally when I moved they had two meters on the system, and deleted one off...

Up to you, but for the sake of a couple of minutes, I'd send an email. That way, if they say you never told them, you've got something that shows you did. It's probably quicker to send an email than wait for them to answer the phone!

Jmoo

It looks like it's not increased since it was installed (whenever that was). Everyone else has numbers on a bit of paper next to the meter, and theirs have increased. Could it have been faulty from the start?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Jmoo wrote: »

I suspect a fair few tenants would leave it. What's the best advice you can offer?

best to get it sorted out now, should save you being accused, at a later date, of interfering with the meter.

Cardew

The fact that SSE gave the serial number of the meter, they 'think' is connected to your flat, it doesn't mean that they are correct.

A surprising number of blocks of flats have their meters wrongly allocated, and it could be that 'your' meter is connected to an empty flat.

Put on a really heavy load - kettle/cooker/electric heater - and check if one of the other meters is rapidly registering that load.

If not send an email to your electricity company as suggested above.

Jmoo

Putting on a heavy load could be sensible. I don't want to be in the position where I'm switching people's electric off to test.

It does look like they've scribbled out the flat numbers on the meters a few times for all of them, so perhaps there has been confusion.

lstar337

Jmoo wrote: »

Putting on a heavy load could be sensible. I don't want to be in the position where I'm switching people's electric off to test.

You wouldn't be to blame if it has your flat no. on it.

Give it a go for a definitive answer.

uva_caresi

Best to get it sorted and don't think that your electricity is free...nothing is!

Your supplier will simply estimate your usage from when you moved in.

possible causes - faulty meter, incorrect connections on the meter (it could have been fiddled! so best report asap), your reading is acutally another flat's meter, and the other flat's meter is broken or the flat owner absent.

As per previous advice, bang on a kettle or elec shower and see which meter is racing. Best done early morning or midday. Try a few times to be sure. If no meter races then could be your faulty meter.

A qualified electrician would be able to identify the correct meter within half an hour. But this would involve switching the power off at the isolator after the meter.