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AIBU?

to not let the meter reader in?

171 replies

midastouch · 19/02/2013 18:03

my electric meter is in my cellar/playroom, so they have to trapse through my house to get to the meter. I had a screaming baby so i told him it wasnt convenient I got quite a lecture about checking it for safety so i asked him to come back in a couple of hours (to give me a chance to sort lunch out and clear the playroom floor so he doesnt break his neck!) he was not impressed and knocked again half an hour later. I ignored it he knocked 3 times! It was only read 2 months ago and I dont really like strangers demanding entry to my home! Anyway i now have a note to say ive refused entry twice!

OP posts:
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WorraLiberty · 19/02/2013 18:06

Why didn't you read the numbers out for him?

I can kind of understand why he was annoyed. He probably couldn't come back in a couple of hours as he would have had other meters to read.

Can you have it moved to an outside location?

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fergoose · 19/02/2013 18:09

I thought legally they only need to take a reading and see the meter once every 12 months. I would have just given him the reading myself if I were you.

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OldLadyKnowsNothing · 19/02/2013 18:09

Did he want to read the meter, or check it for safety? If just the former, you can probably read it yourself and phone/post/do it online.

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Sirzy · 19/02/2013 18:09

He was only trying to do his job so I can understand him being a bit annoyed. If someone is in they want to get it done and onto the next house.

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worley · 19/02/2013 18:10

apparently they can go to court to get access to property to read meter so I was told. I work full time and not there when they kept coming round. in end I had to take annual leave to wait for the meter man.
I've also had cards left and rung up to give reading and they said "your readings are up to date I don't know why they called to read it again"
so now makes me suspicious of people saying they've come to read meter so frequent!!

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BlatantLies · 19/02/2013 18:17

I would have let him in after checking his ID. I think it was a mean and a bit obstructive of you. If everyone did what you did then it would take meter readers hours longer to their work which would result in everyone having to pay more.

It would have only taken him a moment and I am sure he could have coped with the toys on the playroom floor Hmm

YAB VERY U

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ReluctantMother · 19/02/2013 18:19

I ignored the meter reader knocking on my door yesterday. Both dogs were going mental and I was in my pjs.

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Arithmeticulous · 19/02/2013 18:19

I'd be a bit suspicious of anyone that keen to get into the house.

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FryOneFatManic · 19/02/2013 18:23

I think they only have to check the meter once every two years. I think also that meter reading get paid for each reading they do so for them they want to read as many as possible.

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EyesCrossedLegsAkimbo · 19/02/2013 18:28

I think Fry is correct. I input my reading online and cannot remember the last time someone came to read it. Mind you he just walks in and reads it if no one answers the door.

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fergoose · 19/02/2013 18:32

they will take you to court for access if they don't have access to the meter after 2 years, not 1.

www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/energy/your-energy-questions-2/staying-connected/understanding-energy-contracts

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KatyTheCleaningLady · 19/02/2013 18:32

YABU. The guy has a job to do and can't be arsed to come back in a couple of hours. In a couple of hours he'll be miles away reading other people's meters.

There may well be ways to cut down on the number of times your meter is personally inspected, but the guy is only doing his job.

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Geranium3 · 19/02/2013 18:32

that's strange re meterman,
one came to read mine in december, i actually wrote down the date and meter reading.
1month later he was back and he challenged me when i said he had only been a month earlier and i refused him entry.
When i phoned scottish power they had no record of my reading from december, i wonder if the meter readers earn more if they have to call more than once.
And no YABNU to not let yours in

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FryOneFatManic · 19/02/2013 18:39

Yes, it is two years. I had a letter last summer from my electricity supplier asking me to make an appt for the meter to be read and safety checked as they had no records of any meter readings since the summer of 2010.

Turns out my local meter reader, who I actually know as I worked with the idiot years ago, had not been passing on the readings he had definitely taken. I mean, I know I let him have access to the meters at least 3 times since summer 2010.

I've now signed up to providing readings online. And I guess he's not working as a meter reader anymore, becuase I haven't had anyone come to read the meters since that two year check last summer.

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tallulahxhunny · 19/02/2013 18:41

No they do not make more if they have to come back, but they also get paid by how many meters they read, once they finish they don't just go home and put their feet up they have to upload their computer through a telephone line (not sure if that has been updated) and they be out in all weathers! You were VERY inconsiderate

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Viviennemary · 19/02/2013 18:46

YABU. There is a difference from being out and just turning them away saying it isn't convenient. But on the other hand if it was only read two months ago I don't see the urgency.

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Pooforbains · 19/02/2013 18:49

Our electricity meter is in a cupboard which has a dryer in front plus coats, shoes etc. I pull it out the last day of the month hoover behind it, sort shoes coats etc and take a meter reading which I submit online, the guy always turns up a few days after and I'm buggered if I'm pulling it out again, I just tell him I've just submitted it online and he normally just accepts that and leaves, he does take gas as that's outside.

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KatyTheCleaningLady · 19/02/2013 18:50

When I let meter readers in, they just do their business and let themselves out. I don't care if my house is a tip or whatever. I am sure they don't give a shit, and they've seen it all. It's honestly not a bother to let the guy in. At MOST one might have to put on a robe.

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usualsuspect · 19/02/2013 18:52

Why are people so pissy about letting meter readers in? It's their job.

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usualsuspect · 19/02/2013 18:53

He has to scramble about in a cupboard here,I'm sure he doesn't give a toss.

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CwtchesAndCuddles · 19/02/2013 18:56

I've refused accress before too.
My meter is in a cupboard under the stairs in ds bedroom. DS has autism and learning difficulties - meter reader turned up unannounced at 6.30 pm when ds was already getting into his bedtime routine. I wouldn't let him in as it would have upset ds and could have been up all night!!! (meter readings were up to date as I enter online monthly). Told him he was welcome to come back any day as long as it was before 5.30pm -he didn't come back.

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exoticfruits · 19/02/2013 19:02

You feel sorry for him. He can find the meter, read and let himself out-the fact the baby is screaming and the house is a mess doesn't matter to him.

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quietbatperson · 19/02/2013 19:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

McNewPants2013 · 19/02/2013 19:13

He is only doing his job, would you stop a MW or HV coming into your home.

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exoticfruits · 19/02/2013 19:22

All you have to say is 'excuse the mess-the metre is over there' and let him get on with it-2 mins at the most.

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