Meter locked in someone else's garden - Utility bill over £1,000

Bowbell2020

I moved into my flat approximately 12 years ago in the capacity of a homeowner and the freeholder is a housing association. From the offset I had problems locating my gas meter MPR number despite housing association giving me specific details. I spent numerous hours on trying to fix this and eventually was sorted out with a refund from my supplier as charging me for an incorrect property. My meter is located in a fenced area in a neighbours garden, which you need to knock on their door to enter to go through the flat to get to the meter. I have always wanted to get a smart meter installed due to the lack of freedom to access my meter without imposing on my neighbours, I live in a place near Heathrow Airport not a small community. I arranged for this to be done in approximately June 2019, when they arrived I was informed that the utility company couldn't install the gas smart meter as the technology was not there and did not pick up on the frequency of the gas meter to my flat, he took current meter readings. It turned out I apparently owed over £1,000 which I cannot afford, my direct debit was £49 per month, then suddenly in March 2020 they wanted to raise this to approximately £140 which I complained about so they reduced it to £90 per month. Today I got a ring on my door bell and he stated he was here to take a gas meter reading, I said absolutely fine and he started bounding up the stairs and advised him the meter was outside and explained he had to tap on my neighbours door to gain access. He started looking at the gas meters outside in communal area, I saw him through the window and explained to him yet again that he had to go to my neighbours flat, he stated this was highly unusual, you bet. Can anyone anywhere help me with this as I am going around in extremely large, frustrating circles.

Carrot007

Bowbell2020 said:

I moved into my flat approximately 12 years ago in the capacity of a homeowner and the freeholder is a housing association. From the offset I had problems locating my gas meter MPR number despite housing association giving me specific details. I spent numerous hours on trying to fix this and eventually was sorted out with a refund from my supplier as charging me for an incorrect property. My meter is located in a fenced area in a neighbours garden, which you need to knock on their door to enter to go through the flat to get to the meter. I have always wanted to get a smart meter installed due to the lack of freedom to access my meter without imposing on my neighbours, I live in a place near Heathrow Airport not a small community. I arranged for this to be done in approximately June 2019, when they arrived I was informed that the utility company couldn't install the gas smart meter as the technology was not there and did not pick up on the frequency of the gas meter to my flat, he took current meter readings. It turned out I apparently owed over £1,000 which I cannot afford, my direct debit was £49 per month, then suddenly in March 2020 they wanted to raise this to approximately £140 which I complained about so they reduced it to £90 per month. Today I got a ring on my door bell and he stated he was here to take a gas meter reading, I said absolutely fine and he started bounding up the stairs and advised him the meter was outside and explained he had to tap on my neighbours door to gain access. He started looking at the gas meters outside in communal area, I saw him through the window and explained to him yet again that he had to go to my neighbours flat, he stated this was highly unusual, you bet. Can anyone anywhere help me with this as I am going around in extremely large, frustrating circles.

The cheapest option will be to move to somewhere that has not a bodge (many flats do). Alternative is pay many thousands to remedy the situation and mocve the meter. You will need neighbour co-operation for that as well.

I'm not saying don't buy a flat. Just pay attention to important things like this before you do. Would have been a 50% reduction in prioce from me for that (or remedy it before I buy).

Norman_Castle

Is yours the only meter in this location? How helpful is the neighbour, would they read it for you and email the readings?

Is something like this an option? https://www.landisgyr.com/webfoo/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Automatic+Meter+Reading+System.pdf

Bowbell2020

Thank you for your feedback, hindsight is a wonderful thing. I did try to get a smart meter installed in July 2019 but the technology is not in place to get the signal 2 stories up from the garden. Yes neighbours are helpful to a point but living in London doesn't promote a cosy neighbourly feel. I am concerned that if the meter is tampered with or damaged and someone may need emergency access what would happen then? Surely it is does raise the question that if a professional does come to read the meter then they can also check it for damage and obtain an accurate meter reading instead of relying on a total stranger to provide a service to you by giving you a reading that may be totally inaccurate? Neighbour's are also transient in this area.  I noticed there is a gate in my neighbour's garden but it is well camouflaged by trees on the exterior of the property and they have placed a bench blocking access internally. These flats are purpose built and I noticed that all the other gas meters placed in gardens in another part of the block, have accessible gates without any locks on them, it is just my flat is in a vertical block of 3 where the neighbour that lives directly below me and my meter is placed in this garden.
Does anyone know who legally owns the meter e.g. national grid, energy supplier?
Many thanks

Gerry1

Forget the hassle of reading the meter, I'd argue that for safety reasons it's vitally important that you have access to the gas meter 24/7 so that you can shut off the supply if there's a leak.  What if your flat reeks of gas but your neighbour is unco-operative, is away on holiday or is quarantining?  What are you expected to do, wait for the big bang as your block becomes another Ronan Point?

I'd make a fuss and argue that the meter should be moved to your property (or at least a readily accessible location) at no cost to yourself.

You might also wish to check with the housing association whether the neighbour is entitled to block access to the meter.  Again, concentrate on the safety aspect. They won't lose much sleep if you get estimated bills, but they'll be very nervous about being liable for condoning a serious safety risk.

macman

The meter is owned by the meter asset company.

Craziu5

Gerry1 said:

Forget the hassle of reading the meter, I'd argue that for safety reasons it's vitally important that you have access to the gas meter 24/7 so that you can shut off the supply if there's a leak.  What if your flat reeks of gas but your neighbour is unco-operative, is away on holiday or is quarantining?  What are you expected to do, wait for the big bang as your block becomes another Ronan Point?

I'd make a fuss and argue that the meter should be moved to your property (or at least a readily accessible location) at no cost to yourself.

You might also wish to check with the housing association whether the neighbour is entitled to block access to the meter.  Again, concentrate on the safety aspect. They won't lose much sleep if you get estimated bills, but they'll be very nervous about being liable for condoning a serious safety risk.

I agree. I think this is a bit off that the neighbour is potentially blocking access to the gas meter. They should at least have a gate to the back garden so people can access the gas meter, especially if there is a leak that requires immediate access to the ECV to cut the gas supply.