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Social housing landlord won't help me access electricity meter

9 replies

OneCheekyJadePanda · 07/11/2025 15:17

I have a electricity and gas meter that I top up in shops

Yesterday I went to the shop to buy electricity and gas, when I tried to open my meter cupboard it wouldn't open the key wouldn't go all the way in.
I phoned my social housing landlord. They did send someone out, but it was my mum that delt with it as I had to go to work.
He came out looked and was adamant that I was trying to open the wrong door. He put the key in my neighbors cupboard and it opened so he said nothing was wrong. But it was not my door!
Its a big silver key that opens them all

So today I had to call them again, but they are still adamant that I'm trying to open the wrong meter door. I've been here 5 years and topping up regularly.
So no way is it the wrong meter.

They are refusing to come out again and I'm going to run out or electricity today

Anything I can do

OP posts:
PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister · 07/11/2025 15:18

Locksmith?

Friendlygingercat · 07/11/2025 16:01

You have no choice but to get a locksmith or force it.

Dontcallmescarface · 07/11/2025 16:10

Video yourself trying to open it and put it on their social media pages...all of them. Also contact your electric supplier and let them know and see if it's possible to extend you "emergency credit" amount. It's not ideal but better than going without.

SocksAndTheCity · 07/11/2025 16:13

Is it a fire brigade key? If so you can get a full set on Amazon or eBay for a tenner or so (our meter cupboard and parcel room use these, and they're very common) Smile

ThreeRandomWordz · 07/11/2025 16:15

Are there visible hinges you can remove to allow access?

MD2020and10LambertandButlerPlease · 07/11/2025 16:18

Call the electric/gas company and tell them you're unable to access the meter to top up.

Boomer55 · 07/11/2025 16:26

OneCheekyJadePanda · 07/11/2025 15:17

I have a electricity and gas meter that I top up in shops

Yesterday I went to the shop to buy electricity and gas, when I tried to open my meter cupboard it wouldn't open the key wouldn't go all the way in.
I phoned my social housing landlord. They did send someone out, but it was my mum that delt with it as I had to go to work.
He came out looked and was adamant that I was trying to open the wrong door. He put the key in my neighbors cupboard and it opened so he said nothing was wrong. But it was not my door!
Its a big silver key that opens them all

So today I had to call them again, but they are still adamant that I'm trying to open the wrong meter door. I've been here 5 years and topping up regularly.
So no way is it the wrong meter.

They are refusing to come out again and I'm going to run out or electricity today

Anything I can do

It’ll be an FB key. Get a set from Amazon - they cost peanuts.

Zov · 07/11/2025 16:29

Yeah, you need a locksmith, or you need to contact your energy provider. It is not your social housing landlord's responsibilty to sort out your electric and gas meter issues.

Keroppi · 07/11/2025 16:36

How do you top up? A key and card? No smart meter?
Unfortunately you need access to the meter to activate the emergency credit in an old style meter.
Your best bet is calling your emergency line for your housing and saying someone needs to come out as you will be off supply and are vulnerable. If they refuse then I suppose you could phone your supplier, but
Try the fire brigade keys as mentioned. Go out to a shop to get some tonight, maybe Timpsons could help?

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