Do you have to let meter readers in?

[flibertygibbetplus2]

I'm wondering about this as I have always just let meter readers in whenever they come. It bugs me that they just turn up and expect to be let in though. We have three different ones too.
I was reading a thread the other day about a bogus meter reader turning up at someone's house but they realised this when they tried to check his ID. I've never asked for ID or anything and I'm wondering if others do. I'm at home on Maternity leave with my 2 year old and new baby and it's started to worry me now.

No you don't. You can always wait for your bill with an estimate and then call the company or go on their website to enter the actual reading and they re-issue your bill accordingly.
It can be a bit worrying, hope that helps!

I never let them in, in fact I never let anyone in

I always call them up and give it over the phone its your house you're not obliged to let anyone into your property.

No. If I am busy I don't let them in. I think the only people you have to let into your house are the police with a permit, and I think the tax authorities.

Thanks for the quick reply!

Do you just tell them no when they come or just ignore the doorbell? I'd like to be able to register for a different service where you do your rown eadings then they check once a year by appointment or something.

I might be wrong, but I think allowing a meter reading every x months might be part of your contract with your energy suppiler. Which isn't unreasonable really, or we could all make it up. But you could ask for an appointment.

Get them to make an appointment.

they can tell on their central system how much you have used, you just have to confirm numbers, I think they do say they can have acccess but no its not law you have to let them into your home.

Thanks for responses, I'm glad it's not just me
I would love to ignore them but our front door is right next to the huge bay window in our living room so you can see into most of downstairs.
I'll have a look at the company websites and see if there's any other option. Failing that I might ask them to come back when I'm not alone with the kids. I just feel like such a wuss if I make a fuss about not letting them in until DH is home!

My front door is also next to my bay window

I just pretend they're not there and they go away.......i sound so rude

Oh dear, I've just realised this general advice/tips section is under travel - I guess my brain is still scrambled from pregnancy then

You could ask for ID. They have to carry it, and they don't mind showing it IME.

Good point about asking for ID. I would have thought it would be pretty to fake though, I doubt I would know the difference.

pretty easy to fake, I mean.

For info, I just checked and Atlantic Elec & Gas allow you to do it all online - so it should be easy to fob of their meter readers.

Northumbrian Water don't seem to let you give readings online but they allow you to set up a password with them that their staff will use when visiting your property. Apparently you can ring them to agree a password.

Thanks everyone who replied