never seen my meter reading

emma1808

i am unable to read my meter, i have to go and ask for it at the estates managements office and then they post the reading through my door , i have asked to see the reading for myself and i was told no because there is to many wires apparently,

is this right can they do that? can i be refused to see my own reading? i have no timer no meter on my boiler its just a tank
my electric bills are so high in the summer and i dread the winter, i am in getting deeper and deeper into debt because of my electric bills every month

Archie_Duke

They should be able to show you evidence of the reading they give you and your Meter serial number, which you can check against your bill. Next time ask for a photo that shows BOTH reading and meter numbers to allow you to check.

BeerSavesMoney

I always thought if you were responsible for paying the bills you have the right to access the meter? I might be making that up though!

Will the management office not even agree to meet you there at an arranged time? Would they not even consider sending a photo?

Astria

Some companies don't give you access to the meter reading room or cupboard citing health and safety or insurance reasons. However they should provide you with photographs on request if this is the case as numbers can always be written down wrong.

emma1808

thank you so much, i did not think to ask for a photograph i will do this , thanks again 

dbks

emma1808 said:

i am unable to read my meter, i have to go and ask for it at the estates managements office and then they post the reading through my door , i have asked to see the reading for myself and i was told no because there is to many wires apparently,

is this right can they do that? can i be refused to see my own reading? i have no timer no meter on my boiler its just a tank
my electric bills are so high in the summer and i dread the winter, i am in getting deeper and deeper into debt because of my electric bills every month

Is this a rented property, or one you own?

Either way, it seems to be an admission by the estates managements office of a known safety hazard that needs urgent rectification.

Xbigman

This is obviously a poor situation but there are a few things that might help. You could fit a timer switch to your water tank yourself, or pay an electrician. The potential savings would more than pay for the costs. Although you might have no access to the meter you should know where the fuse board is and there are devices that you can clip to the incoming cable to measure your usage and check vrs the meter readings you are supplied with. Lastly there is insulation. Basic insulation should pay for itself. Putting a jacket over the hot water tank, draft excluder's that sort of thing should be cheap and might make a difference if you don't have them already. 
And of course, can you switch suppliers when prices return to more sensible levels?



Darren 

Gerry1

Photographs aren't sufficient: you could be paying for another property's usage.  INSIST on seeing your meter and doing the Meter Sanity Test.

What are the unit rates(s) and daily charge you are paying, inc VAT? How is the property heated?

emma1808

thank you all for the advice, i am renting from housing association, i've tried to switch supplier in the passed but as soon as i put my postcode in to get quotes i hit a brick wall and i can go no further, when i first moved in for the first 6 months my bill was less then £50 a month, my bill now is £150.00 a month and that is in the summer, 

emma1808

hi Gerry1 my daily charge is £20.66p my night rate is £12.81 per week 

VAT (Domestic Rate) @ 5.00%

£6.12

last month i was billed over £33 for usage at night 

emma1808

i also read the meter sanity-test link you posted i will requested this first thing tomorrow morning, i have no electric on during the day my heaters are all off i dont drink tea and coffee that much so therefor do not boil the kettle often but my monthly day rate is over £80