can neighbours be made to move meters as access my property to read meters

sylvadale

We've recently had an access dispute with neighbours but our solicitor checked it all out and states they have no access only for maintenance of side wall. The neighbours gas and electric meters are on the side wall of their house overlooking our front forecourt and they've installed themselves a gate(against our wishes) to come onto our property to "read their meters". We know they aren't interested in doing this really adn just use this excuse to make a route from the front of our property to the back of theirs taking bikes through being the real reason. We were quite happy to let them come through our front gate to read their meter if needed. During the work with the solicitor a deed was unearthed which states they must have no windows or apertures in the side wall of any dwellign house overlooking ours. We've had loads of abuse and foul language and threats of damage if we stop the coming on to our property. Even had police for advise only at this stage. What we want to do is try and get their meters moved as they are overlooking our property but does anybody know how to go about it? We know they won't comply or pay out any money, but were hoping that maybe utilities companies would say they ahve to be moved and that they would have no choice if there is a legal document. Tried ringing variosu numbers to do with gas and electric but kept getting put thrugh to varous call centres. On even said we'd have to pay

Terrylw1

Hi,

In the case of electricity -

There are 2 ways to do this:

1 - attach submetering. This means that an electrician could attach a customer owned meter whereever is best for you. This would be successful if you are talking about a token meter
Or,
2 - request the meter to be moved. If this is a very short distance (I think it's 6 inches) it can be done for free. This includes from one side of the wall to another (although some Distribution companies may try to blag that). The Distribitor are the guys that maintain all the groundwork you may see installing pipes, attending power cuts etc. You should be able to find out your Distribution agent online, try the DTI site as they used to be listed on there.

The submetering is generally in the case of say, a main meter in a locked room with the submeter in a flat for the consumer to gain regular access. Remember though that all readers from the local operator will always be from their main meter, not a submeter. Submeters ar often useful for landlords who need to add zones in a property with various tenants.

In your case, the full meter move would seem the way to get it off your property once & for all.

It will cost though if it's more than the small distance that they will do it for free. It depends how far and how close it will be to the actual supply. Basically a meter move is the same as asking them to install a new supply.

You have a tricky situation because if it's not your meter, the local Distributor & Meter Operator (the Meter Operator may need to re-attach the meter if the Distribution Engineer is not qualified to do so. this varies by region and type of meter) there could be some dispute over you requesting it. Also, if you intend to move it onto your neighbours land the planning engineer will need to find the best place for it and spec out the plans, send you an invoice to pay, etc.

So, that part at least will need your neighbours co-operation as you will be on their property to do it.

Everyone likes things for free but they will need to agree to where it goes.

I sympathise with you on this as it sounds like it could be extra hassle for you to resolve.

I dan't advise on the gas but the procedure will be similiar. Maybe someone on the forums can help, it may be a Transco issue but I wouldn't like to mis-advice you.

Good luck!

Cardew

I think much will depend on how long the meters have been in that position. If they have been there a long time and you, or previous owner, have not raised a formal objection you may have problems.

If the neighbours use access to the meters merely as an excuse, they will presumably object to them being moved and I doubt if the utility companies will take any action.

You might get a court order, but as per usual it will be lawyers that will get rich from this situation.

Without knowing the layout of your respective properties, is it not possible to erect a fence or obstruction such that they can only access the meters and not the back of their house(with the bikes)? If they continue to access the back of their house across your property you can sue for trespass and get an order banning them from that practice.

hjb123

whos is the fence? if its yours I would remove teh gate and block the gap up?