Physical Meter Reading - Frequency and the law?

PasturesNew

They can't get to my front door to ring the bell that doesn't even work. There's a locked/bolted gate and no way to communicate to me that they're out there .... so, in the main, I don't even know they want to check the meter.

They can't expect people to sit at home in case they randomly turn up.

I will be moving the meter at some point, then they can do all the readings they like.

I've nothing against them doing meter readings, but I am a private person and don't receive any unsolicited visitors to the house. There is no way to contact the main house from my gatehouse entrance.... that's just how it is.

I saw one out there once and immediately shouted and ran to unlock the gate and let him through ... but I can't sit outside in the garden 24/7 "in case" somebody turns up! And, even if I did, s0d's law says he'd turn up when I dashed in for a wee or a shower.

darkan9el

matelodave wrote: »

I guess that if you are as argumentative with the neter readers as you are on this forum then I'm not surprised that you dont get on with them.

Again, we appear to have the "lets make it up as we go along" people popping up with invented incidents more commonly known as "lies" but just to clarify I have never had an argument with any meter reader, period. and to suggest such a thing in order to vilify me is below the belt.

if I have to stand up for myself in the face of abuse, I'll stand up for myself, if you perceive that to be argumentative so be it.

Why you need to vilify me is beyond me and very sad but if that's how you get your kicks knock yourselves out.

teddysmum

PasturesNew wrote: »

They can't get to my front door to ring the bell that doesn't even work. There's a locked/bolted gate and no way to communicate to me that they're out there .... so, in the main, I don't even know they want to check the meter.

They can't expect people to sit at home in case they randomly turn up.

I will be moving the meter at some point, then they can do all the readings they like.

I've nothing against them doing meter readings, but I am a private person and don't receive any unsolicited visitors to the house. There is no way to contact the main house from my gatehouse entrance.... that's just how it is.

I saw one out there once and immediately shouted and ran to unlock the gate and let him through ... but I can't sit outside in the garden 24/7 "in case" somebody turns up! And, even if I did, s0d's law says he'd turn up when I dashed in for a wee or a shower.

You should get a letter from your supplier, when a meter safety check is due, and the letter gives a contact through which to book an appointment.

reeac

Regarding the discount for DD payment, it's up to the supplier what deals they offer and for the consumer to decide which one they want or indeed if they want to go elsewhere. There's no point in arguing with the supplier regarding the logic of what they offer ...that's their business.

magyar

Hengus wrote: »

I was using the term 'suppliers' in respect of the SLC placed on them to read the meter. I accept that it can be outsourced out. FWiW, I have just had my FIT meter read twice in 2 months. EDF responded to my query by saying this was an attempt to re-stablish a 2 yearly meter reading cycle in my area. Fair enough.

I appreciate that people of my age do not like unsolicited calls but telling people in advance has a cost and, more importantly, it gives those who might be fiddling time to remove evidence.

To be pedantic, the SLC says they have to 'obtain a reading' rather than actually read it. So it's not about outsourcing (nearly all reading is outsourced anyway). The point is provided they get a reading, even if it's by the customer, then it's fine.

PasturesNew

teddysmum wrote: »

You should get a letter from your supplier, when a meter safety check is due, and the letter gives a contact through which to book an appointment.

I've never heard of any such thing as a meter safety check, ever....this is a first ...

My house is fairly newish, so maybe that's more/often for older houses and is a new thing in recent years.

footyguy

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've never heard of any such thing as a meter safety check, ever....this is a first ...

My house is fairly newish, so maybe that's more/often for older houses and is a new thing in recent years.

It has nothing to do with the age of the house or the age of the meter,

The old licence conditions made it mandatory for gas meters to be inspected at least once every 2 years. They could (and would!) go as far as gaining an entry warrant to perform this inspection if they were not able to obtain access. Of course, first they would write to the customer to request a mutually agreeable appointment (if they had not seen the meter for 2 years) - usually they started this process after about 18 months to ensure they could inspect the meter within the 2 years permitted.

The requirements for electricity were not quite so severe, so entry warrants were not usually obtained even if there was a failure to see the meter in 2 years.

The licence conditions have now been changed/relaxed as described in this thread. (within the last 2 years)

footyguy

sheff6107 wrote: »

Yeah, seems odd that it's somehow acceptable for meter readers to just turn up unannounced. Not even a text message first.

We've had meter readers since before texting even existed; they have never made appointments simply to read the meter.

If you are concerned about saftey, you can usually arrange for password acess via your supplier. Alternatively, where doubt exists, a meter reader will not mind waiting outside whilst you confirm their identity with your supplier before granting access.
(All meter readers carry appropriate identification)

I, for one, have no interest in being bombarded with any type of message as to when they will turn up. My meters are located where the reader can access them without my attendance. The first I usually know they have even been is when I unexpectantly see an extra, actual (rather than customer) reading appearing on my bill.

System

I hesitate to say this but if people do not want the bother of an unexpected knock on the door by a meter reader, then they should get smart meters fitted. They can then sit and watch the IHD and worry about the £19K showing on the screen for usage over the past 24 hours.

societys_child

arrogant invasions to your privacy

Wow . .

I don't like impromptu callers and I find it extremely bad manners.

Bad manners to knock on your door?

call to arrange a time by all means

I'm sure they have all the time in world to pander to your requirements . . .

but impromptu calling is unacceptable.

Not to most normal people, some people even have door bells for that very reason . . .

First thought this thread was a wind-up, but I now think it's for real.