Physical Meter Reading - Frequency and the law?

System

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.

This is the wording that BG state on their "must inspect " cards I leave when either refused access to see a gas meter or the occupier does not answer, or is not in/vacant/jail /living in Spain etc.. "For your safety this inspection is a legal requirement under our Gas Supplier Licence and you must contact us to arrange an appointment to inspect the meter and ensure that we have access to the meter "
Meters can be dangerous things when people mess with them to get free energy. Link wires for electric fiddles can overheat and burn the electric meter and gas meters which are taken off to either reverse it or damage it internally can leak causing the whole house to blow up along with the neighbours.This happens in the UK every year.Strange how all the gas explosions are all in the poor parts of town in terraces, usually. Safety Check is probably a polite way of saying "fiddle check ". Of the three Safety Checks I have failed on this week, two have gone to BG Revenue Protection to check for payment history prior to a warrant of entry as I very strongly suspect they are obtaining unregistered gas.

SwanJon

darkan9el wrote: »

How many people pay Quarterly compared to Direct Debit? this must be a figure Eon knows. show me figures. I will accept such things as long as they come from a legitimate source and can be verified.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/system/files/docs/2016/10/social_obligations_report_2015.pdf
p17 - amongst other interesting stats

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Raxiel wrote: »

I used to provide readings in the app on the first of every month, but our meter reader (always the same guy) still turned up every 6 months! Guess he just liked to visit us.



I remember when we used to get a 3% prompt payment discount, as well as a loyalty discount depending on years as a customer, which was the reason I transferred my E.ON account to the new address when we moved in 2013 (and before anyone corrects me, I'm aware you can't transfer supply, but we kept the same online account and customer number). I actually found the letter from E.ON explaining why the scheme was being withdrawn while I was clearing out some old papers earlier in the week.

Thanks for letting us have your readings so regularly and promptly Raxiel. The online changes I mentioned above (post #7) are fairly recent. That's not to say your meter reader doesn't like to visit.

Yes, I remember those discounts too. It all changed at the back end of 2013/start of 2014.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

darkan9el wrote: »

Great information and being informed is what I like to be. Most often I log online and send meter readings, in fact I can't remember the last time I didn't. As for honesty or dishonesty, it may be a fact of life unfortunately but making everyone a potential suspect is hardly the way to treat customers.

As for smart meters, I have sent letters of non consent to every energy company regarding those toxic devices. I will never consent to a smart meter ever. I am more than capable of looking after my own affairs in that regard.

With regards to discounts relating to payment methods, I will go over my thoughts briefly.
I fail to see how processing 12 payments can cost any less than 4 payments that essentially have the same process, i.e. transfer of funds from my account to yours, I certainly cannot conceive that the savings from my method to DD would be in excess of the £100 annual discount you were offering me if I went via DD. I have asked this question several times and never, not once has anyone given me an answer, I have however been passed around departments with a carefree abandon. I have asked for proof of the cost difference and I have never been given the courtesy of any figures that can justify such discrimination. I believe it has nothing to do with cost to you and everything to do with consistent monthly income, for that you are willing to give those people who use the DD method of payment a reward but such as me because I choose to use a payment method not preferred by you I do not get such discounts, that to my mind is discrimination.
I am always open to other perspectives and thoughts on the payment topic but I certainly will not hold my breath on receiving a clear and concise reply that can answer my question. In the end I am just a number and sometimes a small thorn in Eon's side but I speak my mind and in this case I think I have a valid point.

Thank you for all the information, always interested in people opinions and so much info, it makes for good reading. I think metering reading should have some firmer rules for both parties benefit.

Hello darkan9el and thanks for letting us have your meter readings through our website. It's a great way of doing this and will cut down on the number of times we ask to visit. If you do ever pop one in wrongly, we'll always rebill for you to the right reading.

Just a quick heads up. Paying with a Monthly Direct Debit saves about £35 per year per fuel give or take a few pence through the lower daily standing charges I mentioned above (post #7). I'm sorry you haven't been happy with the way this has been explained. The savings I spoke about are based on those we make as a company and not on individual accounts. As such, this is business sensitive information and not something we would release publicly.

Sorry I'm unable to add much more to my previous post.

Malc

twhitehousescat

sorry to dig this old posting up but I have question

during the period 2011 -2015 what where the rules regarding length between meter readings , and did the "back billing" rules apply at that date

spiro

twhitehousescat wrote: »

sorry to dig this old posting up but I have question

during the period 2011 -2015 what where the rules regarding length between meter readings , and did the "back billing" rules apply at that date

Meter reading frequency and back billing are not connected if that's what you think. Meter reading used to be every 2 years but lots of suppliers T&Cs require you to submit readings twice a year. Back billing is solely related to not being billed not billed to estimates.

Skools_Out

twhitehousescat wrote: »

sorry to dig this old posting up but I have question

during the period 2011 -2015 what where the rules regarding length between meter readings , and did the "back billing" rules apply at that date

You're probably best keeping to your thread you've been running in for the last week on your current issue.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5884390/eon-lowell-ombudsman-update

Almost 50 posts so far.

Coming to this old thread now with your same problem will probably only serve to confuse you even more.

thrifty_pete

Once upon a time, a man knocked at my door, he said he was from Scottish and Southern Electric and that there was an "urgent safety issue" with my meter. I let him look at my meter, which he said had a fault and was overcharging me. he said he could resolve the problem by signing up for a new tariff.
Shortly after I encountered some SSE sales reps in M&S spouting Xenophobic stuff about how SSE was the only true English firm (all others were owned by foreigners aparently) and I mentioned this weird visitor. They said he can't have been from SSE. Strange. That visit did p*ss me off, and would make me wary of letting people into my home.

Spruces

Can i ask if an energy supplier has not been in a property for over two years and not taken a meter reading,  where do we stand? We have suddenly been issued with a hugh bill we can not pay. We have giving readings but they are saying we have underpaid for ages therefore now have a large bill of £1,000. Can you please advise. 

Gerry1

Spruces said:

Can i ask if an energy supplier has not been in a property for over two years and not taken a meter reading,  where do we stand? We have suddenly been issued with a hugh bill we can not pay. We have giving readings but they are saying we have underpaid for ages therefore now have a large bill of £1,000. Can you please advise. 

Welcome to the forum.

Ask for a payment plan.  Then resolve to send meter readings every month, and to check your monthly statements to confirm that your DDs are keeping up with your usage.