Can my landlord refuse access to my electric meter?

[Loncan]

Hi all, posting in AIBU for traffic.

I moved into my new flat last month. I own the flat, it is a leasehold property. The electric meters for my floor are located in locked cupboards two floors below (meters for the floor above me have meter rooms on each floor that are accessible 24/7...I was led to believe this would be the case for my meter as well).

The only people who have the key to the cupboard are the porters; there is meant to be a porter on site from 8am-7pm Mon-Fri, and 8am-12pm Sat, however there is usually only one available 10-4ish Mon-Thu.

I have been trying to get access to my meter for several days now as my electric provider requires a reading. They also have concerns that my meter may not actually be the one for my flat and are trying to deal with that. I have missed several hours of work this week to try and catch the porter, however they are never in when they’re supposed to be, so I have been unsuccessful. I have reached out to both the developer and the management company for help, and they don’t respond to any form of communication.

I will now need to miss half a days work on Monday, and if the porter doesn’t show up, on Tuesday as well.

I assume I have a legal right to access my meter; is this correct? I don’t think it’s reasonable that I have to miss work each time I need a meter reading, or have to wait days/weeks for access.

Thanks for any guidance!

I have reached out to
Unless you are in the The Four Tops YABVU

Make sure that when you do see the meter that the serial number on your alleged meter is the same as that on your bill. Take photos. In fact s good idea to take photos of all the meters that you can.

Aren't meter cupboard keys standard that you can get at B&Q / Amazon? If you are responsible for paying the bill you should definitely have access to the meter though.

@Frothybothie I definitely plan on taking pictures when they finally give me access to it!

@GhoulWithADragonTattoo It’s in an actual cupboard in the wall, not a electric meter box unfortunately. I have asked if they’re willing to compromise and perhaps give me a key or leave a key at reception that is available more frequently, however as I mentioned they’re not responding to me.

Why don't you message the porter and ask him to take a photo of the meters (where the readings can clearly been seen) and send them to you?

What's the point of having a porter on site if he doesn't do tasks like that?

Legal I don't know, but I've lived in several flats with external meters, and in each case I was shown the cupboard, and it was either open to everyone, or I was given a key to access it. Not least because each of those meters also had master switches/trips on them and I sometimes had to go and reset them.

@Hooferdoofer37 There’s no contact information for the porters unfortunately. The security guards and porters use a log book to communicate with each other, but last time I asked about it they told me they never actually look at it.

I assume I have a legal right to access my meter; is this correct?

No, you won’t necessarily but the meter operative in your area does so they can always obtain readings on your behalf (and obtain a warrant from the court if necessary). If your landlord is being difficult and it’s apparent that you want to cooperate but cannot, make sure your landlord knows that they will be responsible for all of the costs incurred in gaining access.

@TreestumpsAndTrampolines

It actually took them 6 weeks to locate my meter when I took possession of the property! They finally took a meter reading for me but have refused to show me exactly where it is. I feel like the least they can do is have a key that you sign out or something if they won’t provide me with a key if my own.

I am a meter engineer. You don’t have a legal right to access the meter but we do. In practice though you should have access 24/7 because a fault can mean your supply is off and we can (but won’t unless all other avenues have been explored or if there is a dangerous situation) break into the area. You should state this to the landlord ideally in writing, so if there is a situation like this you won’t even held liable for damages.
This sort of thing happens all the time in my lone of work it’s frustrating to the customer and to us.

Maybe the landlord has it wired so that you get the communal charges too and that is why you are not getting to see it.

@Loncan

This is something that your solicitor should have dealt with in his legal work. It should be in the lease too as to your rights. I am not sure why the [freeholder] feels that restricting access would be a good idea. You do need to get readings at at least quarterly intervals to submit to the supply company else you get estimates and that leads to problems.

You might find it worthwhile to contact the solicitor. Even if "he" charges to write a letter the cost would be normal and might achieve the end. If this is a problem with others in the block would it be worth getting together?

Shouldn’t you just ask the electric company to send out an official meter reader? Why are you skipping work?
YANBU but I think you’re trying to do too much/what a meter reader does......

If its a gas meter, then you MUST have access to it according to the Gas Safety act. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1994/1886/regulation/13/made

Not sure about electricity.

You also have to allow both electricity and gas to make an inspection every 2 years. I guess, the worst-case scenario is that you inspect the meters when they do.

Another thought - what does your lease say about access?

@PlanDeRaccordement

Would the meter reader just break the lock? I wouldn’t be able to guarantee that a porter would be there and the cupboards are ones built in by the developers with real locks, not the meter covers with the little universal round lock thing.

Re my lease, it says I have the right to passage of electricity and access to all communal areas (which these would fall under Im assuming). It doesn’t mention anything specifically about meters. This is my first time living in the UK and I come from a country where 95% of flats/condos include all bills in the maintenance fees so I’ve never had to provide meter readings before and it didn’t even cross my mind to ask my solicitor about it.

Break the lock? What?
No, the meter reader would show up and ask the porter to unlock it and the porter cannot refuse because they have legal right to access the meter because it belongs to the electric company. If the porter is not there, the electric company will go after the landlord until they get access to the meter.

Thanks for all your input. For the first time in weeks there was a porter here when I got home from work, and I was able to get a reading as well as photos of my meter. Now I just need to confirm that it’s actually my meter, which the electric company should be able to do. Have a great weekend all.