Meter read baliff

[Diddleydo43]

DH who has longstanding MH issues says our electricity suppliers have sent him a latter saying the will send bailiffs to break in and read +/- change the meter because it hasnt had a proper read in 12m.

Dh claims they've been trying to contact him on a defunct email address.

As far as I know he's paid the bill.

Can they do this? He's really gone off on one (not completely unusual) but I'd like to know where we stand
Tried google but its not clear..

Why don't open the door?

If the account definitely isn't in debt (have you checked?) then this will be a safety issue, meters have to be checked visually by an engineer every so often, although when I worked in the industry it was more than 12 months for electricity meters. And yes if an appointment cant be arranged for whatever reason they can get a court order to be able to force access. Far easier to just let them in.

There is a legal process they have to follow before this can happen. They’re likely just letting you know that they are going to do this, in a final attempt to get you/DH to actually engage with them.

Get on the phone and arrange a day for them to come and do the reading. If you let it go too far they’ll potentially replace your meter with a pre-pay and that’s not what you want to happen.

Can you phone in a meter reading yourself @Diddleydo43 ?

Oh also I have unfortunately had experience of a DH with mental health issues and I would suggest you contact the electricity supplier yourself, if it's in DHs name get him to do the security questions. Let them know the account holder is a vulnerable person.

"our electricity suppliers have sent him a latter saying the will send bailiffs to break in and read +/- change the meter because it hasnt had a proper read in 12m."

They can't do that if it's just to read a meter. If that is the situation then they are likely just employing a (very) aggressive tactic to scare you into opening the door.

In contrast, if you are way behind on paying the bill then they may have applied to the Magistrates Court for a warrant to enter your home and either fit a prepayment meter or disconnect the supply.

But in order to get a warrant at the Magistrates Court they must have given you notice so that you could attend the hearing so that you could make representations as to why they should not be able to do that.

It may be worthwhile asking your DH what correspondence he has had prior to this letter.

"DH who has longstanding MH issues"

Ofgem rules heavily restrict suppliers from forcing entry or installing prepayment meters if the household includes vulnerable people (such as individuals with severe mental health conditions).

If they have obtained a warrant then might I suggest that you take things over from your DH with communicating with them and make them aware of his MH issues as soon as possible.

I think we would let them.in, but because we haven't been aware of the visit we didn't know.

We are going away tomorrow, for a week.
Can it be this quick?

Difficult to get him to hand over any control as he sees it particularly when he's in a mood.

Suggested it, got head bitten off, backed away..

Easiest way to solve is phone in a reading. Most suppliers have a website now or an app.

Can you phone the reading in yourself, you can do it outside the house if you are worried about it. My energy supplier meter readings are done via their app, don't even need to call someone.

The regulations state that the meter has to have a visual inspection for the safety of the occupants of the house. Meters can leak gas. Electricity ones are to do with the fuse, meter tails etc, I used to work for an energy company. It is to look for signs of tampering but mainly the condition of the wires, no burn marks etc.

If there are monies owed then yes, a meter change can happen to force someone to prepay for their electricity/gas. However, there has been a halt to installing these with the CoL crisis and there should be a mark on the account that says the house contains a vulnerable person.

The meter belongs to your regional electricity company, you do not own it. They can force a change but will negotiate with you first to sort out paying back any debt. This is probably what they have been trying to do. You need to sort out taking over the account if you can.

They wouldn't normally get a court order just for a meter read. They generally book it in as a meter read because the engineer will read the meter at the same time but the main purpose of the visit is for the engineer to have had "eyes on" the meter.

It takes a while but it's hard to know how far through the process they are from the info you have. Even without DHs cooperation you can call and explain everything to them. They can't tell you anything but they can make notes on the system and that would be taken into consideration when deciding if to apply or if to grant the court order.

Who's name is the account in? His? Yours? Joint names?

You need to take over here. Phone in a reading if that's what is required. If the energy company do need access to your house then you will have to arrange that.

At the very least phone the customer service helpline, explain the situation and get advice from them. DH may or may not have been ignoring this, but he can't.

@Diddleydo43 contact your energy supplier directly and explain the situation?

Just get on the phone, and tell them you’re away for a week, but if they give you a date and time for when you’re back, you’ll make sure you’re there to let them in.

Do you have a smart meter? Do you get a bill, can you access it to be sure its being paid.
If your bill is based on estimates then it may be that you have been paying too little and they need an accurate reading.