Letter from Wales and West Utilities

autumnsymphony

Hi All
just received a letter addressed to the property (not me) from Wales & West Utilities stating that equipment in my property has to be changed as its at the end of its life. the letter says to ring for an appointment.
I rang to see what this was all about (yes im paranoid) and was told I was booked in for the end of March as my equipment/meter has been identified as unsafe and will need to be changed and they will need access to my property!
I have a maintenance agreement with my gas/elec supplier and all my equipment has passed its recent inspection with flying colours.

is this a con? is this for smart meters?
if not - surely this a very scary notice to received especially when its headed 'gas safety notice'

thanks everyone
Lisa

System

I am not sure that your maintenance contract covers your gas meter. Usually, if a smart meter is being offered, this offer will be made by your supplier.

I should have added that if your meter needs to be replaced because it has reached its end of life, then you have to agree to access. I am not sure why anyone would use the word 'unsafe' as that would suggest to me that the matter cannot be left unresolved for 6 weeks.

Raxiel

If the number you phoned really is for Wales & West Utilities, and they confirmed it, it's unlikely to be a Con.

Its probably not so much that the meter(s) is actually dangerous per se, but that the equipment has ticked over the age they usually replace it in their database.

Is your meter an old one?

If the gas distributor wants to replace the meter its unlikely the new one will be smart, because smart gas meters need a paired smart electrical meter to communicate.

Have you spoken to your supplier to see what they have to say?

Edit: According to the FAQ section on their website this is something they usually do:

• I have received a letter telling me that my gas meter needs to be exchanged through a policy exchange programme. What do I do? Please call National Grid Metering on 0845 606 6766 for domestic properties, and 02476 286 048 for non-domestic properties

Ian011

Beware the 0845 number is premium rate. Calls cost up to 62p per minute.

Usage of this type of number for existing customers breaches consumer protection regulations published by BIS.

Failure to mention the call costs next to this type of number is a breach of regulations published by Ofcom.