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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

For sending meter reader away?

52 replies

LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 05/09/2022 15:38

Had new smart meter fitted in May due to problems with old one. All going well and receiving monthly bills which we confirm by checking readings match the physical meter then pay the bill. Latest bill received, and paid, last week.

Today a meter reader turned up in the middle of a rain shower (think heavy enough you can’t see end of a 30ft garden from inside because cloud is so low and rain heavy). I declined him coming in to read meter as there is no need and I also don’t want my toddlers getting outside nor do I want the rain getting in and making a mess. Meter reader says he has to inspect the meter and it will be in the small print - I point out I know it’s a requirement to have them inspected at least every 2 years and, having only been installed 3 months ago, we’re well inside that timeframe so no need for an ‘inspection’ at the moment; plus bills are accurate so, again, no need to submit readings.

WIBU to say no to a meter reading?

OP posts:
Saynotothefishtank · 05/09/2022 18:03

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 05/09/2022 15:47

I'd guess it's more efficient for the meter reading to do one area at a time rather than rigidly sticking to a 2 year interval and driving here there and every where to individual houses

I don't have the Mumsnet kniptions
At the very thought of a person entering my house so it wouldn't bother me in the slightest, total non issue for me but clearly you are a different person and it's a big deal for you

Clearly you’ve never been robbed by a stranger who had a valid business reason to request entrance to your home. I have.

Really not a fan of women home alone with kids being expected to let strange men into the house. They can fuck off with their meter reading requeat.

Hopeislost · 05/09/2022 18:09

It's a well known scam around here. Flash a fake badge and get into someone's house. I don't let anyone in without an appointment!

Prescottdanni123 · 05/09/2022 18:09

My dad used to be a meter reader. He had to inspect the meter to make sure it wasn't faulty (i.e gas leak etc) and did actually pick up on quite a few potentially dangerous issues this way.

Though of course it is the home owner's right to refuse meter readers entry.

The meter readers are just given houses to go to though. They don't know how long you've had your smart meter for, they are just trying to do their job.

Chouetted · 05/09/2022 18:11

Hopeislost · 05/09/2022 18:09

It's a well known scam around here. Flash a fake badge and get into someone's house. I don't let anyone in without an appointment!

Are there still safety schemes where they give the meter reader a password to prove they're not just some random imposter?

Nicenspicytoo · 05/09/2022 18:12

Most meter readers are on a really low wage and get paid per meter at a pittance. YABU and pretty pathetic, it's actually a hard job for little hope your proud!

FinallyHere · 05/09/2022 18:13

It's an argument in favour of having meters on the outside of any dwelling.

RedWingBoots · 05/09/2022 18:15

FinallyHere · 05/09/2022 18:13

It's an argument in favour of having meters on the outside of any dwelling.

Loads of people particularly in new housing or old houses that have been divided into flats have them on the outside. However loads of times the cupboards doors are broken off.

onetimeonlyipromise · 05/09/2022 18:21

So even if they come on a day that you consider to be suitably into the two year window, when it’s not raining and when your toddlers are elsewhere, there’s every chance you won’t be there?

You should have let them in, on the basis that they came on a day when, against the odds, your actually there.

Hannakl · 05/09/2022 18:22

YABU to use escapee toddlers and invasive rain as an excuse.

junglejane66 · 05/09/2022 18:23

It's government legislation (Gas Act 1986) for a supplier to keep their licence to supply, that they read domestic gas meters once a year and/or do gas safety checks of their meters on the same schedule. This is because electric can be accurately estimated but gas can't, so meters HAVE to be read and safety checked. That said, it's legislation on the SUPPLIER that THEY do that, not that customers allow the supplier to check the meter
In reality, any supplier with any gumption builds that requirement into their domestic contracts to protect themselves. You probably have tacitly agreed to let them in once a year (may have changed to every 2 now) and so you are actually in breach of contract by not letting them in.
Just remember, don't let into your home anyone who can't prove their identity.

Testina · 05/09/2022 18:27

@Saynotothefishtank that would be a fair comment if the OP had said, “I didn’t want to let him in, as a woman on my own.”
But she said it was because she can’t stop a toddler walking out of a door, or rain getting in through it. Which is just… pathetic.

SunnyD44 · 05/09/2022 19:01

YABU to not let someone in because of the rain or because you can’t control you kids.
That’s ridiculous!

Oldieandgoldie · 05/09/2022 19:07

As I keep saying, please get a password put on your account, that the meter reader has to tell you to prove he’s legit.

Againstmachine · 05/09/2022 19:08

Just so you know I'm not sure if you have been just looking at display unit, this isn't the actual meter.

Original poster
LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 05/09/2022 19:44

Againstmachine · 05/09/2022 19:08

Just so you know I'm not sure if you have been just looking at display unit, this isn't the actual meter.

No, I go out to the actual meter and check that once a week then, when the bill arrives, I check it against my weekly readings and calculate the bill based on my readings and unit rates.

OP posts:
Original poster
LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 05/09/2022 19:47

Sandwichmytoes · 05/09/2022 17:18

For fucks sake it is a safety issue, they have to visually check the meters. The meter does not belong to you it belongs to the geographic meter company for your area but your supply can be billed from any other company. This is why if you don't pay your bill (non-smart meter) they can gain a warrant to break into your property to change it to a prepayment one.

I used to work for a utility company. Meter reading has become much easier now with smart meters but the visual check still needs to be done.

Except the requirement is to visually inspect the meter at least once every 2 years - this meter has been in place days over 3 months and therefore is not due an inspection. I am up to date with my bills and owe nothing. I check the bills against the meter readings I take weekly so there really was no need for this visit!

OP posts:
Original poster
LovedFedAndNoonesDead · 05/09/2022 19:51

junglejane66 · 05/09/2022 18:23

It's government legislation (Gas Act 1986) for a supplier to keep their licence to supply, that they read domestic gas meters once a year and/or do gas safety checks of their meters on the same schedule. This is because electric can be accurately estimated but gas can't, so meters HAVE to be read and safety checked. That said, it's legislation on the SUPPLIER that THEY do that, not that customers allow the supplier to check the meter
In reality, any supplier with any gumption builds that requirement into their domestic contracts to protect themselves. You probably have tacitly agreed to let them in once a year (may have changed to every 2 now) and so you are actually in breach of contract by not letting them in.
Just remember, don't let into your home anyone who can't prove their identity.

No gas meter here - in fact, no gas on the entire 1970’s estate just electric. Therefore the requirement to check Gad meters isn’t a. Valid argument

OP posts:
GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/09/2022 20:02

I don’t think anyone has the right to access your home at no notice - except obviously exceptions like the police in very specific circumstances!

If they’d arranged a good time with you then that would be different.

EmilyEmmabob · 06/09/2022 04:32

Something tells me you'll be making a right song and dance the second it goes wrong. I don't think just letting the man do his job would have caused you any significant hardship. YABU.

MrsLargeEmbodied · 06/09/2022 06:02

sounds like you didnt want him to come in because it was raining?
if it had been a nice day you would have let him in?
otoh he should have had an appointment so that is excusable

rwalker · 06/09/2022 06:08

I’ve enough in my life without the need to create drama
I would of just let him read them
couldn’t get worked up about this

clpsmum · 06/09/2022 06:15

Getoff · 05/09/2022 15:48

You've imposed the unnecessary cost of an extra visit on the energy company that will come out of everyone's standing charge.

It wouldn't have been that difficult to let him do this job.

You seem to have zero regard for anyone's interest other than your own.

You're picking on the wrong person here. Focus your attention on the energy supplier sending out line men to read meters without prior notice

Onceuponaheartache · 06/09/2022 06:23

Definitely not unreasonable. Their companies are fully aware of their schedules for weeks in advance. It takes no effort to send an automated email advising someone will be in your area on x day to read/check the meter.

As a single mum I do not permit a random person to enter my house without notice. I have turned them away on several occasions.

I am generally not home in the day as I work full time so turning them away is not a waste of their money. They could save the waste by making an appointment.

Devo1818 · 06/09/2022 06:23

swimlyn · 05/09/2022 17:35

This should go into Classics as the two ridiculous extremes of Mumsnet posters within just one page...

This!! Hilarious

boysarethebest · 06/09/2022 06:24

I'm one of the most anti social people in the world and never answer my door if I'm not expecting them but would have let him read the meter. You were ridiculous!