The Electricity Meter and the Law.

[BigBlueConk]

Just wondering how clued up you lot are?

I have received a letter from Scottish Power that they are going to serve me with a warrant to gain access to my outside meter and I will incur all costs involved.

Now to the best of my knowledge, they did want to come round, but I advised I was working nights that week and could they rearrange. They said no problem.

Now for those who know me, I work mostly 6 days a week and a 12 hour day is normal.
So I might get up at 4am and be home gone 7pm, if I am on an early. Otherwise, 10am-10pm on a late.
If I am lucky, I get Sunday off.

I do get the odd day off, but at short notice.

So I read this letter with this threat and I fumed!

I have been reading Schedule 7 of the 1989 Electricity Act and I get the distinct impression it is their problem, not mine.
They need to swap the meter in my time, not give me a open 6 hour window when they might come and cry to the courts because I am at work during the day. I have no intention of booking holiday time for them.
They do state it is a legal requirement, but I think it is soley theirs.

The other bit of info is that my meter box is not even locked and I am also sure they put a new meter in 4 years ago!

Quote from letter:
We will visit you again on the afternoon of Monday 28th May 2012, between 12pm and 5pm.
Please ensure we have access to the meter on this day and that you or your representitive is present, even if the meter is outside.

I will be working that day between those hours. I will not be asking ANYBODY to hang around for me. I can turn all the electrics off, that is not a problem at all.

Does anybody have any experience on these things?

 

[Phenom]

Have you tried sawdust mate?

 

[Bigmaclad]

What you mate is this:

1. Get a bike and pedal
2. Make electricity
3. ?????????
4. PROFIT

 

[Piijt]

I spend most of my time abroad, consequently my meter readings are ridiculously low. I have loads of hassle off these pricks who want to do a "safety check" when in reality all they want to do is check I'm not scamming. I've had all the legal letters threatening to break in if I'm not there, was really worried at one point but when I called them the bloke told me not to worry, they just like to scare people, they'll never break in. Write to them by recorded delivery explaining you can't be there and explain why

 

[Alio]

Have you tried sawdust mate?

Genuinely laughed out loud then. Ahh dear, text book and not expected

Erm, I'm not too sure about this Conk, but why do they want to gain access to it and why would they be charging you for it? Sounds pretty odd? Just complain a lot. They tried to charge me about £900 once for over usage on my Electricity, over the period of 6 months. I live in a flat, not running a football stadium, I refused and kept phoning them to complain, they eventually just said OK, how about you owe us about £100? I obviously bit their hand of at that, as I know for a fact I'd be using my night storage heaters incorrectly and it probably was nearer the £900!

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

They need a warrant to gain access, you will be informed if you are to be taken top court for a warrant, or if a warrant has been issued.

 

[BigBlueConk]

They want to install a new meter and Im not stopping them!
I just cant be there when they want to do it. They want to charge me court costs and for any damage caused to the hatch (I guess)

I actually think it is there way of wanting me to use another provider.

I will be ringing them at 8am, offering for them to come straight away as I have to leave for work at 9am.
I will keep you posted...!

 

[BigBlueConk]

Im not stopping them coming. The access hatch has always been accessable. I just cant be there in their working hours.

The letter says they will apply to the courts if they fail to gain entry on May 28th.

 

[I_Dan_Talisman]

Fill the box with fecal matter - not necessarily yours.

 

[BigBlueConk]

I won the battle, had them in knots.

I studied the law and government directives and bored the pants of them with quotes.
I went further and advised that I was not letting them on my property until I receive a letter of apology, which they are doing.

Their definition of 'several times' is twice, the third being next Monday. I had already contacted them to advise I would not be at home, if they came during those hours. I also added that I would not be taking any time off work as so they can change the meter and that in their original letter, they should have been asking me, the customer, when would be a convenient time.

I got an admission that if they did get the warrant, they force entry into the house to turn the power off, then change the meter. I reminded them that on the occasions they wanted to do the work, the power was off and the meter is accessable outside and so the warrant is pointless.

They need PERMISSION by a person present is what it comes down to and so I calmly stated that once I receive the apology, I will give them suitable times when I will be at home for a two week period and that all they ever had to do was ASK!

If I do not receive the apology, I will be contacting my MP to write to their CEO, copies also to the NMO, Ofgas, my solicitor and Watchdog!

I offered to counter with a false warrant of execution order and charge them all the relevant costs and recover my own.

Anyway, seemed to do the trick.....

 

[BigBlueConk]

For those who don't know, they claimed I was being obstructive by being at work during the day.

 

[bluejock]

Well in mate, stick it to the man.

 

[padefc]

I won the battle, had them in knots.

I studied the law and government directives and bored the pants of them with quotes.
I went further and advised that I was not letting them on my property until I receive a letter of apology, which they are doing.

Their definition of 'several times' is twice, the third being next Monday. I had already contacted them to advise I would not be at home, if they came during those hours. I also added that I would not be taking any time off work as so they can change the meter and that in their original letter, they should have been asking me, the customer, when would be a convenient time.

I got an admission that if they did get the warrant, they force entry into the house to turn the power off, then change the meter. I reminded them that on the occasions they wanted to do the work, the power was off and the meter is accessable outside and so the warrant is pointless.

They need PERMISSION by a person present is what it comes down to and so I calmly stated that once I receive the apology, I will give them suitable times when I will be at home for a two week period and that all they ever had to do was ASK!

If I do not receive the apology, I will be contacting my MP to write to their CEO, copies also to the NMO, Ofgas, my solicitor and Watchdog!

I offered to counter with a false warrant of execution order and charge them all the relevant costs and recover my own.

Anyway, seemed to do the trick.....

i stand to applaud you there son 1st class

 

[DualityNSNO]

Well in, BBC

 

[Username]

Quality that mate, well done.