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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
bluer · 20/02/2013 21:35

Is not about how little women have moved on...like it or not there aren't many woman who could fight off a man and if you let just anyone into your house you could be putting yourself at risk. I weight around the same as my dh and he's not muscly etc but if we play wrestle he can easily over power me.its nothing to do with being a feminist etc but simply that men are stronger...therefore an unexpected visitor will never gain access to my home.

BlatantLies · 20/02/2013 21:44

Confused But you are not letting anyone in. You can confirm who they are by phoning your utility company on their official number.

Obviously, if it's a wierdo who makes an inappropriate comment THEN don't let him in. (although you should still make a note of his ID so that you can report him )

Mutley77 · 20/02/2013 21:46

Nope I don't let them in either. We update our meter readings on line and I therefore don't see the need for them to be paid to come and read it again. It is a pain for them to go in my understairs cupboard when I am in the middle of doing something.

We had a letter recently asking us to ring them to make an appointment (otherwise they will make one for us and write to tell us when it is) and I didn't bother - I didn't have time! The letter actually said they are legally obliged to check the meter but didn't refer to any legal obligation of ours to let them in so I am not sure they can insist - however I won't block if they do send us an appointment.

I know our meters are safe as we have recently had gas/elec safety certs done because we are going to rent out the house.

TunipTheVegedude · 20/02/2013 21:47

I wouldn't let someone in if I wasn't dressed.
And I think if you are getting a 'spidey sense' about someone it is perfectly sensible not to let them in and it's silly to repress that for fear of being thought to be a feeble little woman.

twentythirteen · 20/02/2013 21:51

I haven't had my meter read for years. Ill have it done if I ever move. They haven't cut off my power. It's not about feeling afraid of the strange man. Its about me choosing how I spend my time in my home.

MajaBiene · 20/02/2013 21:55

I wouldn't let someone come and read the meter every 2 months - it's too much.

I rarely answer the door to unexpected callers to be honest. If it's important they can make an appointment.

fuckwittery · 20/02/2013 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ebwy · 20/02/2013 23:11

I'm mentally ill, strangers in my home freak me out and the after-effects of an unexpected meter reader coming in can last weeks. I wish the gas & electricity companies would send us notice about a week beforehand so I can arrange for someone else to be here. Surely they should know when your street is due to be checked.

I do let them in but they have to dig their way through to the meters themselves because I'm not turning my back to them. They may be lovely but I don't like people I don't trust getting behind me due to my anxiety disorders

HerrenaHarridan · 20/02/2013 23:24

Someone up thread asked how single people manage with out a big strong man to supervise meter readers etc.

As a single parent I do not let unannounced callers in unless I know them. Why would I? Even if I have friends round. They do not have the right to come into my home I am perfectly capable of entering readings online and should they need to actually service the meter they can make an appt.

Why would any woman question another woman's feminist loyalties for standing up for her right to not do something that makes her feel unsafe.
We are our own worst enemies

kalidanger · 20/02/2013 23:32

I think a meter reader is the only stranger I would freely let in my house to be honest Hmm in fact one came the other week, holding out his ID with a cheery "Alright luv".

BlatantLies · 20/02/2013 23:49

ebwy. You should contact your Utility Company I am sure they would be happy to come to some arrangement with you.

A quick look shows that NPower suggests that anyone with any special requirements register with them. I guess all the Utility Companies have Similar set ups (hopefully Grin )

saxonlad88 · 13/05/2014 16:42

This reply has been deleted

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Canus · 13/05/2014 16:52

Gosh, you are an angry little man thread reviver aren't you saxonlad?

You get that you are just a utility bod, yes? Not doing actual life saving, important stuff for a living? You really don't matter much at all, and anyone could be trained to read a meter.

Calm down, maybe look at retraining. You'll give yourself an ulcer if you carry on like this.

CortanaFights · 13/05/2014 16:55

Calm down you wee prick.
No our fault your nob is small.

TequilaMockingbirdy · 13/05/2014 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TequilaMockingbirdy · 13/05/2014 16:58

Oh and btw, it won't be too hard to find out who you are so you can be reported to your employers for the rudeness, abusiveness and utter contempt you've shown for the people you come across in your work.

Groovee · 13/05/2014 17:06
Hmm
MakeMineaMartina · 13/05/2014 17:09

I never let strangers in my house, (my meters are inside too), they can even make fake IDs (I know this as I used to make ID cards at a place of work once and theyre so easy to do).

I send my readings online. ive told them I don't want visits.

I have a notice on my door saying 'no unexpected callers or cold callers'.

so many people cant read though!

TequilaMockingbirdy · 13/05/2014 17:11

I thank the lord I have a camera and a buzzer so I just pretend I'm out.

PresidentTwonk · 13/05/2014 17:14

Yeah, you're all out of order not wanting to let lovely meter readers like that ^ in Wink

CortanaFights · 13/05/2014 17:15

Would be awful if this got tweeted and went viral....
#mumsnet

TequilaMockingbirdy · 13/05/2014 17:15

He'd get drop kicked off my doorstep if he spoke to me like that. Foul manchild.

TequilaMockingbirdy · 13/05/2014 17:20

I've just read Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954; btw and can't find any reference to the 12 weeks yon mon states.

SaucyJack · 13/05/2014 17:26

If you weren't such an unpleasant misogynist, you'd probably have a girl-friend and then you wouldn't be so bored on your day off.

LisaMed · 13/05/2014 17:29

saxonlad88 - are you the meter reader I had to threaten with the police because I was so terrified?

I just wish it was more than a theory to book a day when they arrive so that I know I can just have someone else around.