Gas Meter in neighbour's garden

Seanmac

I recently bought a flat and was trying to locate the gas meter. I believe the gas meter may be potentially in the neighbor's garden. I need to see the serial number to know it's mine but the gas meters are located in the gardens of the ground floor flats. I am not sure if I have a right to enter the garden to check the gas meter or not. I don't know how serious people may take that sort of entry. I don't even know which flat it is from the backyard whose door I need to knock. I don't know what are my options here. Previously in other accommodation, I used to receive huge bills for estimated meter readings compared to actual meter readings, therefore, want to avoid the situation. 

MWT

Talking to your neighbours would seem the way to go...

I wouldn't worry about you rights until after they have said 'no'.

People usually respond well to a polite request rather than a demand, so give it a go, you may make some new friends along the way...

How did you get an opening meter reading when you bought the flat if you don't know where the meter is?

Similarly if you have not already done so you need to register with the current supplier and move off of their expensive deemed tariff...

Seanmac

MWT said:

Talking to your neighbours would seem the way to go...

I wouldn't worry about you rights until after they have said 'no'.

People usually respond well to a polite request rather than a demand, so give it a go, you may make some new friends along the way...

How did you get an opening meter reading when you bought the flat if you don't know where the meter is?

Similarly if you have not already done so you need to register with the current supplier and move off of their expensive deemed tariff...

Opening meter reading was given by British Gas which is an estimated reading. The seller themselves did not provide any gas meter reading but the boiler is on Gas and British Gas confirmed MPRN number and Gas meter number. 

Norman_Castle

Try knocking the doors and asking. Its likely you are allowed access but its polite to ask before entering.

Verdigris

As a former meter reader, my rule of thumb is if you can get to the meter as easily as getting to the front door you are not in much danger of breaching any trespass laws. However, there is always the awkward squad to take account of so, as MWT said, a polite request to the neighbour will probably gain you access.

Seanmac

Thanks. I found it. However, it seems British Gas has an incorrect gas meter number on their record which does not match with the National database so they provided me the correct number and informed me they will get it changed at their end. 

Gerry1

Do a sanity check on the meter to make sure it's yours, especially as it's not on your property !  Turn the supply off at the meter and make sure it goes off in the flat.

Verdigris

Was there a yellow ticket on it giving details of a meter change? (usually stuck on the front of the meter, depending on type) Did you check any other adjacent meters to see if it matched the serial number you were originally given?

Seanmac

Verdigris said:

Was there a yellow ticket on it giving details of a meter change? (usually stuck on the front of the meter, depending on type) Did you check any other adjacent meters to see if it matched the serial number you were originally given?

National Database seems to be giving a different meter number than one with British Gas. British Gas informed the National Database record is always correct and therefore, they will raise a correction internally. I did not notice the other meter number anywhere and guess it does not exist. I did not notice any ticket number etc. of change on the meter. 

Hasbeen

Are you sure it is yours?
As suggested turn it  off and see if your gas goes off.

Seanmac

Gerry1 said:

Do a sanity check on the meter to make sure it's yours, especially as it's not on your property !  Turn the supply off at the meter and make sure it goes off in the flat.

Turning the supply off? sounds a bit scary to do it..