Why Have They Moved My Meter?

[DaisyNonna]

Nobody has read my gas meter in over 5 years
I send in my reading once a month via phone
Without consultation my meter has been moved from my hallway (first floor flat) to the garden of the downstairs flat
Do not fancy clambering into their garden in the coming winter months with a plastic key to read the meter
Was told that mine OBVIOUSLY had my flat number on it si there would never be a problem distinguishing mine from theirs
NO number on either meter
For whose convenience is this?

[gingejbee]

I suspect that there's a very good reason for the move and it will benefit you greatly.....and if you believe that etc.
Seriously though....I'd contact the energy company and ask for an explanation.

[albaqwerty]

get on the phone to energy provider and kick up stink.
I know it will have to be Monday, but that's ridiculous, moving a meter without telling someone? I'm not a happy bunny reading this

[Hopkirk]

You haven't had it read for five years? That will be why they moved it.

[albaqwerty]

are the owners/tenants of ground floor flat aware of this? If they own, then they could have a major hissy fit too.

[DaisyNonna]

Because they have not bothered?
No point in my reading it and sending in the reading?
Should read it today but not feeling well enough to traipse downstairs and enter someone else's garden, fiddle about with a plastic key on a meter which may be mine, traipse back upstairs and then try to phone British Gas and then interact with recorded messages
Perhaps I should just wait for them to read the meter
Why should I do their job for them when they have made it so inconvenient?
Electric also from British Gas
Meter still in my hallway

[Flonska]

Has your old meter simply been moved or has it been replaced with a "smart" meter? What about the readings, if that has occurred? You may wish to question your supplier about that aspect too?

[Hopkirk]

My supplier insists on reading it occasionally, every few months. I don't believe any supplier would be happy with not reading it for five years. This has probably triggered an automatic instruction to relocate it as they are not getting readings where it was located.

[albaqwerty]

When we were with Scottish Power (for both gas and leccy) a guy came out once a year.
We changed to Scottish Gas and never saw anyone.
Have changed again and yet, still no sign of someone visiting.

[DaisyNonna]

If it were a so called smart meter I should have been informed
They can now come and read it themselves
Don't see why I should do their job especially as I was left without gas for 48 hours last week whist they pitheres about
Had somebody told me what was going on I might have been more understanding

[DTCwordfan]

contractually the meter is the point of transfer of liability too.....that's why they moved it as they are responsible up to it and not beyond...never mind billing, liability in an accident inside the block.

[DTCwordfan]

I used to be marketing/engineering director for one of the minor suppliers, deputy MD as well.

They should have notified you, not least wasn't your gas cut off for a while as they made the transfer??

[albaqwerty]

ooh, never knew that, thanks DT x
Am always happy to learn :-)

[albaqwerty]

to the first reply that is !! :-D

[DTCwordfan]

like the water is to the meter as well......as to leak responsibility.

[DTCwordfan]

and telephone is to the junction box into your house.....not the phone plug. (Had a recent issue over that as the problems on their side of the box caused the phone to screw up.....I refused a £129 charge for the second call out of engineer as it was consequential damage of the box being problematic - accepted by BT.....(and I hadn't paid it, just the bill owing to that point otherwise.)

[DaisyNonna]

Not really understood your answer DTC
Gas cut off with no warning
Couple in downstairs flat brought home new born baby from hospital unaware that that they had no gas but had to cope with a toddler and a 24 hour old newborn

[albaqwerty]

haven't yet gone down the water meter route yet, am sure it's going to be in the offing tho.
Completely side-tracking this thread, if water meters are installed for a property, why one earth can't Water Companies assure folk that al pipes etc will be maintained to a high standard
(It's Saturday, my head hurts!)

[DTCwordfan]

they wanted to get the meter(s) outside the building - they could have been liable to damage to the supply before the meters in the appt block. Now they are not.

However, unless an emergency situation, they should have notified you of a stoppage for work on the pipe/new meter, not least as a matter of courtesy and to allow for contingency planning as in your neighbours with the wee one.

[DTCwordfan]

you should have seen the fountain just outside here a few months ago (and on their side of the meter by about 30 feet, albs - it was quite spectacular, The Cornish Trevi Fountains I wanted to charge 50p a visitor and offer Cornettos....

[ladybirder]

Seems a bit cheeky to put your meter in someone else's garden. I'd not be too happy if I was them.