Can smart meter be fitted without my permission and when not present at the property?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

they are not YOUR meters.

Since you work ''in the sector'', why are you here asking questions, YOU should know all the answers.

Is your ''sector'' knowledge garnered from a call centre?

[Deleted User]

Uncertain as to the need for a court warrant,given no access to the customer property is needed,whilst access to the suppliers equipment is.

The issue with a gas meter change is that air is introduced into the piping from the meter to the home. The installer has to purge the system by turning on appliances etc. Yes, the meter can be changed but, for safety reasons, access to the property is needed if the supply is to be left on.

Mobtr

No they won’t change them unless they have a court warrant which you would know about as they should inform you of this. A lot of companies are just booking ad hoc appointments in the hope customers will just agree to them 
Not sure what your problem is with smart meters & we may never find out but it’s just a meter to record your usage, nothing more, nothing less 

Robin9

lokyt82 said:

Hi all, 

................................ I work in this sector and I know a lot about them! ..........................................

With your inside knowledge what industry figures can you quote ?

1) How many consumers have been cut off ?

2) How many customers have had their brain fried ?


I was in the distribution side of the industry for 40 years and my answer to (1)   is nil but we dug many holes in footpaths and load shed many the miners strikes   and (b) none

Scot_39

lokyt82 said:

Hi all, 

I need some advice if possible regarding smart meters. 

I have been refusing smart meters for years and I will never allow to have it installed. I work in this sector and I know a lot about them! 

My current supplier is the british gas and I received a text message this afternoon claiming to be from BG, stating that an appointment has been scheduled for a smart meters to be fitted on the 13th of September. 

I assumed it was a scam text but called them just in case. It turns out, they have actually scheduled a visit and they were going ahead with! I could NOT believe it!! I have pointed in very angry manner that this was done without my consent etc and they have cancelled the visit! 

I suppose my question would be, would they be allowed to do it if I was unaware of it? My both meter are outside with easy access. 

The other question would be, can I secure the both boxes and prevent them from attempting to do it while I'm not at the property and without my knowledge? 

Legally AFAIK the meters do not belong to you - they belong to the supplier - and it is a condition of supply - that the meters are in certification.

Ofgem however do still list the option of user's objection - e.g. here

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

"You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. You can also request to have one at a later date without being charged"

Which is again a bit curious - given their previous statements regarding end of life meter (end of certificatin period) swap outs - that seemed far more mandatory in their tone.

So not sure how the 2 align - what the true current position is - as Ofgem have a habit of not putting dates on their pages.

But for instance if you have signed up for a new deal - like a new fix - with many you will now find you have given explicit permission for them to upgrade to smart if they even accept you on that tariff without smart.

Suppliers as I understand it - are now caught in a tricky position between mandatory installation - and targets for Smart roll out - which they are all subject to - and despite many extensions - remain well behind targets in many cases.

France iirc now - as of Jan - charges non smart meter property an annual premium of c€50 / £44 fee - which is set for review in 2025, which I believe is when Germany also goes "mandatory".  

MeteredOut

<snip>

Ofgem however do still list the option of user's objection - e.g. here

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

"You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. You can also request to have one at a later date without being charged"

Which is again a bit curious - given their previous statements regarding end of life meter (end of certificatin period) swap outs - that seemed far more mandatory in their tone.

<snip>

You can refuse an "offer" to have a smart meter fitted. As you've said, a replacement required for an end-of-life meter is mandated, so not an offer.

FreeBear

Dolor said:

Uncertain as to the need for a court warrant,given no access to the customer property is needed,whilst access to the suppliers equipment is.

The issue with a gas meter change is that air is introduced into the piping from the meter to the home. The installer has to purge the system by turning on appliances etc. Yes, the meter can be changed but, for safety reasons, access to the property is needed if the supply is to be left on.

As I found out, if they can not do the safety checks & purge the gas pipe, they'll cap the supply at the meter (a small metal disc inserted in the connection to the meter). This then leaves you to call out a gas Safe engineer to remove the disc, purge the gas pipe and do the subsequent safety checks - You will have to pay for this and can not pass the cost back to the supplier.

Oh, and you will still be liable for the standing charges if the supply is capped.

[Deleted User]

MeteredOut said:

<snip>

Ofgem however do still list the option of user's objection - e.g. here

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

"You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. You can also request to have one at a later date without being charged"

Which is again a bit curious - given their previous statements regarding end of life meter (end of certificatin period) swap outs - that seemed far more mandatory in their tone.

<snip>

You can refuse an "offer" to have a smart meter fitted. As you've said, a replacement required for an end-of-life meter is mandated, so not an offer.

There is nothing sinister going on here. In 2019, the then BEIS agreed a change to the regulations as Meter Asset Providers told them that they no longer had access to supplies of analogue meters. Suppliers now have an obligation placed on them by Ofgem to fit smart meters in new builds  and when a meter reaches the end of its certified life. What is mandatory is that suppliers cannot bill if the meter is no longer certified.

lokyt82

Lots of people are missing a point here I'm afraid! I do not own any money and pay my direct debit on time! They have no reason to replace them!

And for working in this sector, There is a lot going behind scenes that people don't see and understand. There are plans to introduce various tariffs such as peek or night hours etc. Also, there is many issues with connectivity etc. Many people complained about switching suppliers having one already fitted as it was compatible with the new supplier.   

QrizB

The answer to your question is yes, they can replace your meter in your absence and without your consent.

Owing money has nothing to do with it, and your "working in the sector" objections are misplaced. Many regulars here already make large savings from timed smart tariffs, and SMETS2 meters (plus DCC-enrolled SMETS1 ones) can be switched seamlessly between suppliers.