Compulsory meter reading while on a smart meter

MWT

Zandoni said:

Dolor said:

Zandoni said:

You also don’t have to let them in without an appointment.

In 50 plus years as an energy consumer, I can truthfully say that I have never come across a meter reader that has made an appointment. In my experience, they are just sent out to read meters and then they report back to a number of suppliers. As part of their job is to look out for energy theft, why would they want to call in advance of a meter check.

In my 40 years plus as an energy consumer and my 20 years working in the gas industry I can tell you as a fact that you don’t have to let a meter reader into your house if you don’t want to.

True, but eventually, if your supplier feels the need they can get permission to force entry if you persistently refuse to allow a meter inspection even with an appointment.

Zandoni

MWT said:

Zandoni said:

Dolor said:

Zandoni said:

You also don’t have to let them in without an appointment.

In 50 plus years as an energy consumer, I can truthfully say that I have never come across a meter reader that has made an appointment. In my experience, they are just sent out to read meters and then they report back to a number of suppliers. As part of their job is to look out for energy theft, why would they want to call in advance of a meter check.

In my 40 years plus as an energy consumer and my 20 years working in the gas industry I can tell you as a fact that you don’t have to let a meter reader into your house if you don’t want to.

True, but eventually, if your supplier feels the need they can get permission to force entry if you persistently refuse to allow a meter inspection even with an appointment.

Of course they can but they must have grounds and it wouldn’t have to go that far, I’m just stating you don’t have to allow anyone into your house unannounced if you don’t want to.

MWT

Zandoni said:

MWT said:

Zandoni said:

Dolor said:

Zandoni said:

You also don’t have to let them in without an appointment.

In 50 plus years as an energy consumer, I can truthfully say that I have never come across a meter reader that has made an appointment. In my experience, they are just sent out to read meters and then they report back to a number of suppliers. As part of their job is to look out for energy theft, why would they want to call in advance of a meter check.

In my 40 years plus as an energy consumer and my 20 years working in the gas industry I can tell you as a fact that you don’t have to let a meter reader into your house if you don’t want to.

True, but eventually, if your supplier feels the need they can get permission to force entry if you persistently refuse to allow a meter inspection even with an appointment.

Of course they can but they must have grounds and it wouldn’t have to go that far, I’m just stating you don’t have to allow anyone into your house unannounced if you don’t want to.

The only grounds they need is a desire to perform a safety check and persistent refusal to allow it, but yes, you don't have to allow the random meter reader to cross your threshold if you do not wish to do so...

Zandoni

Yes plenty of warning and they will have to give an appointment. I’m not trying to say people shouldn’t allow meters to be read but many people are very concerned about letting people in. ID cards mean nothing, I could knock up a very convincing card in 5 minutes.

Chrysalis

If all they want is a reading and you are wary, then you can say no and tell them to either pre arrange an appointment or you supply the reading yourself.

SAC2334

Dolor said:

Zandoni said:

You also don’t have to let them in without an appointment.

In 50 plus years as an energy consumer, I can truthfully say that I have never come across a meter reader that has made an appointment. In my experience, they are just sent out to read meters and then they report back to a number of suppliers. As part of their job is to look out for energy theft, why would they want to call in advance of a meter check.

In 20 years as a meter reader for all the main meter reading companies I can assure you that in our team of 9 in my area 2 meter readers did nothing else but appointments full time 8 am till up to 7 pm.
Very important work and the suppliers would fine my company if the appointment time was nt kept by the meter reader .
These appointments would be to people who work 5 or 6 days a week and are not normally available in daytime work  hours .
The appointments are arranged by the supplier and customer not the meter reader.
If I had called at a property and the occupier had asked me to call back later I would have done that if possible if I was in that area

SAC2334

Zandoni said:

MWT said:

Zandoni said:

Dolor said:

Zandoni said:

You also don’t have to let them in without an appointment.

In 50 plus years as an energy consumer, I can truthfully say that I have never come across a meter reader that has made an appointment. In my experience, they are just sent out to read meters and then they report back to a number of suppliers. As part of their job is to look out for energy theft, why would they want to call in advance of a meter check.

In my 40 years plus as an energy consumer and my 20 years working in the gas industry I can tell you as a fact that you don’t have to let a meter reader into your house if you don’t want to.

True, but eventually, if your supplier feels the need they can get permission to force entry if you persistently refuse to allow a meter inspection even with an appointment.

Of course they can but they must have grounds and it wouldn’t have to go that far, I’m just stating you don’t have to allow anyone into your house unannounced if you don’t want to.

True, you don t have to allow access to a meter reader . this happened  often  especially after  smart meters were introduced . 

 .Any suspicious "access refused  " I would  pass on to Revenue Protection. They would check payment history and an RPU officer would    call armed with a warrant  of access if they suspected theft of gas/electric .They would enter with police /locksmith if necessary
.I might add that the vast majority of customers who refused access were not at all suspicious. There are many reasons why occupiers don t want strangers in their property.