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Original poster

Converted house two flats, gas meter both in my flat, how can I get it

29 replies

Kitkat369 · 06/03/2019 18:47

Moved? I own share of freehold to my ground flat and above is owned by another owner who rents out his first flr flat. It seems both gas meters are in my flat under stairs (didn’t realise until after having moved in!). From time to time I get random gas people come to read upstairs meter in my flat which is irritating me somewhat especially as the tenant is barely home so I won’t let gasman in without the tenant being there as ultimately their gas account. I’d rather not have their gas meter in my flat.

Is there a way I can get it moved, not sure in what to do aside from perhaps speak to other freeholder but then I’m thinking he may want me to pay for it to be moved, even though the silly thing is in my flat! No idea why the idiot who converted this house foolishly didn’t have gas moved.

Anyone could advise would be great.

OP posts:
sugarcubed · 06/03/2019 18:54

It would cost a lot to get it moved. Why not ask them to change it to a smart meter then no one has to knock and check it, unless any maintenance issues which are rare.

boringlyboring · 06/03/2019 18:57

My mum moved hers from inside to out last year and it cost around £750 and had to be the National Grid to do so.

I’m not sure how it would work with permission (e.g if your neighbour said no, but it’s still your property)

TheInvestigator · 06/03/2019 18:59

I know it's a pain in the ass, but why do you insist on the other tenant being there? The gas person doesn't need to speak to them, they don't need to sign anything. You don't actually need to do anything aside from open the door and point at it.

It would be annoying, but it takes 30 seconds so whilst you're trying to sort out the move, you could make it a bit easier on yourself by simply letting them so their job rather than calling the tenant down and making the whole thing take longer.

wigglypiggly · 06/03/2019 19:00

Ask them to get a smart meter

Original poster
Kitkat369 · 06/03/2019 20:05

Well thing is I’m conscious of letting these gas person taking readings without the tenant knowing that it’s happening as I wouldn’t want to get involved should anything go wrong between tenant and their supplier. Before, the tenants who lived upstairs would knock on our door and I’d give them reading. When this new tenant moved, in after a while a couple of times she took reading but now gas person comes. It’s just irritating and I know it’s only 30 seconds but when I’ve got someone banging at front communal door quite aggressively the last thing I want is them in my flat. Especially given not my meter!

It just makes me feel uneasy really having upstairs meter in my home. I may try speak with freeholder as to smart meter maybe. Just not sure as to outcome.

OP posts:
BlueSkiesLies · 07/03/2019 00:18

Your making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be. Whilst I can see its slightly annoying, it’s what, a few mins every 3 months? 6 months? Just let the meter reader in, they read it and off they go.

TheInvestigator · 07/03/2019 07:16

I find it bizarre that people actually get worked up and feel uneasy/upset at letting the gas reader in. And what dispute are you worried about. You can't change their meter, if there is a dispute it would have nothing to do with you and also, it's just not going to happen. You're creating your own stress over this because there really is nothing to be uneasy or stressed about.

wowfudge · 07/03/2019 07:36

Surely the tenant is far more inconvenienced than you are? Why are you making things even more awkward for them?

LeesPostersAreInFrames · 07/03/2019 07:43

Don't they read your meter at the same time? Confused

misses the point

donajimena · 07/03/2019 07:45

Hang on, so if there was a gas leak in the other flat how would they switch it off? Would you have to be home? If so it absolutely DOES need moving.

Original poster
Kitkat369 · 07/03/2019 07:46

I tell you what I find bizarre that someone else’s meter is in my flat, especially given I’m being inconvenienced every couple months.

I call my gas company to give meter readings so no gas people turn up.

OP posts:
IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 07/03/2019 07:47

I wouldn't want it in my house either. It might be an issue if you want to sell. No idea where you stand legally though if you want it moved in terms of paying for it.
I think it should have been pointed out before you bought tbh.

Original poster
Kitkat369 · 07/03/2019 07:52

Donajimena-that’s something else to add to list, I think when the gas person comes and does reader (as they will attempt again) I’m going to have to ask them this as m not always around.

Just baffles me how the person who converted this flat created a flaw like this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kitkat369 · 07/03/2019 07:53

IWannaSeeHowItEnds-that’s what I was thinking too as we will move at some point.

OP posts:
Backseatonthebus · 07/03/2019 07:58

Why dont you find out which gas company it is and ring them to ask about getting it moved?

Original poster
Kitkat369 · 07/03/2019 08:11

I don’t know which gas company she’s with but when gas person to read meter comes I’ll just ask them.

We’ve only been living here just over 4yrs and have had 4 separate tenants living upstair. The first two set never knocked on our door for meter readings but third set did and it was until that point I realised so woul give them meter readings but now this other tenant.

OP posts:
TheInvestigator · 07/03/2019 08:24

You've been there 4 years and havnt raised the issue with anyone so that's on you, not just the person who converted the house.

Obviously work on getting it moved, but in the meantime just let he guy in to read the meter. Don't turn it into a bit production by demanding the other tenant be present just so you can both stand and stare at a man wrote down a few numbers. It will make things much easier and less annoying if you just let them take the reading quickly and quietly, and it will only be 1 or 2 more times whilst you sort out having it moved.

If it can't be moved, then contact the landlord or upstairs tenant to get a smart reader.

FlamingoFlamenco · 07/03/2019 08:36

I feel your pain.

I had this in my last house, but with electric meters. The tightfisted LL put the neighbours one in my house because he was too scroogy to pay out for the extra yardage re materials to have it put where it should be.

Also, both meters were in the bedroom which was so small that furniture had to be moved out of the way in order to get to the meter cupboard.

it was a pain in the neck - as was the LL.

Original poster
Kitkat369 · 07/03/2019 09:01

Theinvestigator-to be clear, it’s not a case of tenant being there, it’s merely a case of me having their permission that’s it’s fine to let gasperson in to read their gas usage on meter. They need to be aware it’s happening really. I have no qualms in tenant being there, just being aware but permission. And not realising in 2 first years of being there, why would I really unless it was mentioned to me but wasn’t during buying process but that’s done and dusted now. Just case if me now trying to find out how to move it as shouldn’t be issue, just my own investigating really. Oh such fun!

OP posts:
theworldistoosmall · 07/03/2019 09:08

If the meter is in your place, then how is the annual gas check being done?

Original poster
Kitkat369 · 07/03/2019 09:08

FlamingoFlamenco-(loving the name btw!)-this is the thing, if it’s possible for the gas meter to be moved will the LL want to pay for it? He may say that I have to if I want it out my flat. This LL owns a number of flats, thankfully he lives nearby should I need to reach out to him but really, spending money on this he may start “uhming and ahhin”.

OP posts:
CoffeeCoffeeTea · 07/03/2019 09:26

I'm amazed this was not flagged when you were purchasing your flat. It sounds a real pain. How do you even know which is yours?

We moved our gas and electricity meters outside, and had to get permission from the gas board and our suppliers. Also had to get registered gas engineer and electrician. It was very messy work, and expensive , £1200. we were doing building work at the time, which kept some of the costs down.
Maybe worth contact gas supplier and tell them that your neighbours meter is on your property.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/your-energy-meter/move-your-gas-or-electricity-meter/

Original poster
Kitkat369 · 07/03/2019 12:23

Thanks CoffeeCoffeeTea, will try look into it.

OP posts:
FlamingoFlamenco · 07/03/2019 20:06

kitkat369
I think what coffeeCoffeeTea says is the best thing to do. TBH, If I'd suggested to my LL I wanted the extra meter moving he would have fainted with fright at the thought of spending his precious coins, and would have found many and varied ways to stall giving me an outright answer. I daresay though that if I'd pushed him, I would've been given my marching orders, rather than him do the job and have a happier tenant.
As there were so many other issues with the house, I moved in the end

It’s just irritating and I know it’s only 30 seconds but when I’ve got someone banging at front communal door quite aggressively the last thing I want is them in my flat. Especially given not my meter

^ If you don't want to move, and don't want to carry on in this way, you could perhaps tell the tenant that you're not prepared to have the meter reader constantly coming into your home, and advise them to speak to the LL about it. That way the issue is taken out of your hands and the LL is pressured from another quarter, so to speak!
OR, maybe tell the LL you're not comfortable with the meter reader constantly being there and from now on want the LL to be present when the meters are read!

MiniMum97 · 07/03/2019 22:26

Meter people come whether or not you give readings. They come periodically to do their own check.