Meter SIte

Newport1989

Hi.  I have an issue with Scottish Power and their billing.  They are sending multiple bills, often for the same period, for differing amounts.  Each time this is questioned they send a 'corrected' bill which invariably differs from anything else sent. The property is a two bedroom flat on the 30th floor of a new-build, hi-spec residential tower block which is fitted with Smart meters.  The meters themselves are situated away from the flat in a room to which the flat occupants have no access and no led monitor or similar device is provided.  Effectively there is no way to monitor the readings.  We also frequently get told that Scottish Power cannot contact the meter and ask for  manual reading - which cannot be provided.  They then somehow manage to 'find' an actual reading.  Lots of other issues with Scottish Power but the main query is - Can they site a meter in a room to which the account holder has no access (and where no device to monitor the readings is provided)?  If so, how can they guarantee the accuracy and indeed integrity of the meter and reading?  I have tried - without any success - to engage with Scottish Power and am at the point of contacting the Ombudsman.  Does anyone have any advice regards th legislation around meter installation and siting and the workings of the Ombudsman?  Help appreciated.

Robin9

The location of the meter is nothing to do with SP - that was the architect/developer in conjunction with the DNO.

You and the other residents need to insist with the management company for the flats that they have access.

Verdigris

Smart meters send readings every half hour, if communications are working correctly. Meters in apartment blocks are often in below-ground plant rooms which would inhibit transmission, although the developers should have fitted an antenna to obviate that problem.

Have the you asked the building management if they can give you access to the meter room?

Newport1989

Thanks Robin9 for the swift reply.  Completely agree and via social media this is starting to be arranged.  However, we are faced with demands to pay bills which are out of line with any reasonable expectation based on readings we simply cannot verify.  I am most concerned that there is no way of checking that the correct meter has been used (new flats so may be possible that the wrong meter is connected????), the integrity of the meter is in question since the room is accessible by the building owners/other contractors etc. Is this a usual situation - do others have supply that they cannot monitor and is there legislation that says meters - especially Smart meters - should be accessible?

Newport1989

Thanks Verdigris, we have asked but are told to submit a request to the building management an they will take a reading when they can.

Verdigris

I don't want to worry you unnecessarily but it is not unknown for the wrong meter to be assigned to the wrong flat in these sorts of developments. I worked as a meter reader for a number of years and have seen this on many occasions. If the management won't allow you to accompany them to the plant room I would advise asking them to take a photo of your meter when they read it. You can then check the serial number against you bill. Better to nip any potential error in the bud because it can be a hell of a tangle if the errors go on for years.

You could also insist the supplier gets an independent reading done, as they are obliged to do periodically, as you have no access yourself.

Good luck!

Robin9

Agree with @Verdigris you need to ensure the correct meter is being read. 

There should be an isolator next to the meter -  switching to off should make all the supplies in your flat go off.  You need this isolator in case of fire in your flat !

EssexHebridean

Robin9 said:

Agree with @Verdigris you need to ensure the correct meter is being read. 

There should be an isolator next to the meter -  switching to off should make all the supplies in your flat go off.  You need this isolator in case of fire in your flat !

...not though the isolator will do them any good if they can't access it - which is in itself a fairly relevant point in regard to the lack of access I'd say! 

Verdigris

I think meter room security has been heightened on the orders/advice of insurers. I noticed in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire that getting access to communal meter set-ups became much more difficult. However, I do think it is unreasonable for building landlords/managers to deny access to owners/tenants.

wild666

If given access to the meters then take a copy of a bill to the room with you this should have the number of your meter(s) on the bill then you can search for the correct meter for the property.

Newport1989

Thanks everyone for the replies.  My belief is that the wrong meter has been used but didn't realise this was not uncommon.  The reason for this thought being is that the supposed usage of electricity is not only much higher than expected (double the amount OFGEM suggest for a similar dwelling) but also because the usage remains steady even when the flat is empty for 2 - 3 weeks.
Contacting the building management now to try to get access, I will let you know!