[Help] Gas meter readers

[birthofanorange]

Ex EDF employee, and husband of ex meter reader here, just pointing out Smart Meters still require a visit from a meter reader regularly . Meter readers do safety checks on both gas and electric meters whilst taking a meter reading. Smart meters will reduce the frequency of calls, but all smart meters legally MUST be visually inspected. You would be amazed at some of the dodgy connections bypassing meters , A surprising mnumber of people think because they have smart meters they wont get meter readers ever again

Hi
She doesn't have Smart Meters, but old-style ones under the stairs. When she was able, she would get underneath and read them herself, but mobility issues prevents her from doing that.
Point being, would your o/h be entitled to do anything BUT read the meters - ie. check the appliances?

 

[Brok]

Does anybody know if meter readers (British Gas) are supposed to ask (or are qualified to) "check appliances"?
I only ask as my elderly mum had her meter read, by prior arrangement, and he was a bona fide British Gas official, but there were some concerning aspects to his visit.
Having read the meter, he returned to his van for about 10 minutes, then came back to the house, knocked at the door and asked to use her loo.
Mum wasn't really happy with it - especially as he traipsed his muddy boots up the stairs to the bathroom, Being pretty immobile, she couldn't follow him upstairs and he was quite a while.
When he came back downstairs, he asked her if it was okay for him to check all her appliances, to which she replied no. (she was feeling uneasy) and he was a little pushy, saying that it wouldn't take long.
She stood her ground and said "No", so he left.
My question is, is this usual for meter readers and are they qualified to 'check appliances' or is this potentially something else?

Well, that makes it a bit more creditable... BUT... there are some right crafty bleeders out there, so you can never be too careful.
Always ask for ID. Genuine people wont mind if you do.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Ex EDF employee, and husband of ex meter reader here, just pointing out Smart Meters still require a visit from a meter reader regularly . Meter readers do safety checks on both gas and electric meters whilst taking a meter reading. Smart meters will reduce the frequency of calls, but all smart meters legally MUST be visually inspected. You would be amazed at some of the dodgy connections bypassing meters , A surprising mnumber of people think because they have smart meters they wont get meter readers ever again

When I worked for Yorkshire Electricity, the meter readers would get an extra £15 for every meter tamper they found. They search for pin pricks in the cables, and signs of nuts being 'wrenched' especially.

Gas meter readers are not Corgi qualified to inspect appliances.

@birthofanorange complain to her gas provider but it could be the 'meter reader' was working for Centrica.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Well, that makes it a bit more creditable... BUT... there are some right crafty bleeders out there, so you can never be too careful.
Always ask for ID. Genuine people wont mind if you do.

I don't think that the OP doubts that the caller was genuinely a meter-reader from (or rather on behalf of) British Gas.

That in itself, doesn't rule out the individual in question, being of questionable character.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I don't think that the OP doubts that the caller was genuinely a meter-reader from (or rather on behalf of) British Gas.

That in itself, doesn't rule out the individual in question, being of questionable character.

Unfortunately, that is true.

 

[deletebeepbeepbeep]

Who wears shoes in to someone else's house, sounds like a right wrong un.

 

[aftershavedave]

This is very disturbing for a pre-arranged visit. Clearly (it seems) this man was a BG employee/sub but his actions are very suspicious, it must be reported to stop him trying this on again

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

When I did boiler service's I would normally ask the customer if they wanted their cooker and gas fire visually checked at no extra cost.I came across quite a few dangerous blocked flues and hobs not burning properly.

 

[birthofanorange]

When I did boiler service's I would normally ask the customer if they wanted their cooker and gas fire visually checked at no extra cost.I came across quite a few dangerous blocked flues and hobs not burning properly.

Yes, but were you there purely as a meter reader, as that's what the person in question was there for?

 

[Cotton Socks]

Does anybody know if meter readers (British Gas) are supposed to ask (or are qualified to) "check appliances"?
I only ask as my elderly mum had her meter read, by prior arrangement, and he was a bona fide British Gas official, but there were some concerning aspects to his visit.
Having read the meter, he returned to his van for about 10 minutes, then came back to the house, knocked at the door and asked to use her loo.
Mum wasn't really happy with it - especially as he traipsed his muddy boots up the stairs to the bathroom, Being pretty immobile, she couldn't follow him upstairs and he was quite a while.
When he came back downstairs, he asked her if it was okay for him to check all her appliances, to which she replied no. (she was feeling uneasy) and he was a little pushy, saying that it wouldn't take long.
She stood her ground and said "No", so he left.
My question is, is this usual for meter readers and are they qualified to 'check appliances' or is this potentially something else?

No that's not right. They can check the meter but not appliances and there is no reason for him to be checking appliances. He shouldn't have come back to ask to use the toilet either, he could've driven off in the time he was sitting there and found a petrol station or supermarket to use a loo. Complain and then make sure she doesn't let anyone else it that says they're from any company to check her appliances.
ie. someone comes back next week, says they're from BG and as she didn't have them checked last week can they do it now as the meter reader spotted a potentially dangerous fault.

 

[birthofanorange]

It has been reported (and supposedly 'recorded') by British Gas. Should it be left there or should I have a chat with the police?

 

[Cotton Socks]

It has been reported (and supposedly 'recorded') by British Gas. Should it be left there or should I have a chat with the police?

Might be worth sending them an email. You never know someone might have emailed them about a similar thing happening.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It has been reported (and supposedly 'recorded') by British Gas. Should it be left there or should I have a chat with the police?

If your Mum notices anything missing ie a watch, ring or necklace then definitely ring the police. You can report the incident online as it's not an emergency.

https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/report-a-crime-incident/

 

[birthofanorange]

If your Mum notices anything missing ie a watch, ring or necklace then definitely ring the police. You can report the incident online as it's not an emergency.

https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/report-a-crime-incident/

I have submitted an online report with the full details, and that it was also reported to British Gas. She is a little vague and may not be aware if anything is missing, as of yet.

 

[nickbrighton]

Hi
She doesn't have Smart Meters, but old-style ones under the stairs. When she was able, she would get underneath and read them herself, but mobility issues prevents her from doing that.
Point being, would your o/h be entitled to do anything BUT read the meters - ie. check the appliances?

He has just read your post- he was a meter reader and then an area manager looking after teams of meter readers

Couple of points
1. Meter readers MUST keep shoes ON, rubber soles-insulated in case of dodgy meter/wiring! however they all have shoe covers in the event of dirty shoes, muddy conditions, etc to protect carpets
2. Meter readers carry out visual inspections of the meter only, and wires/pipes attatched to it. They would not check any appliances unless that was the job booked (burns test etc).
There certainly seems something off about this visit

 

[Chicken Run]

I have submitted an online report with the full details, and that it was also reported to British Gas. She is a little vague and may not be aware if anything is missing, as of yet.

Mate good luck with this, hope all gets sorted , I’m feeling your ongoing worry

 

[birthofanorange]

He has just read your post- he was a meter reader and then an area manager looking after teams of meter readers

Couple of points
1. Meter readers MUST keep shoes ON, rubber soles-insulated in case of dodgy meter/wiring! however they all have shoe covers in the event of dirty shoes, muddy conditions, etc to protect carpets
2. Meter readers carry out visual inspections of the meter only, and wires/pipes attatched to it. They would not check any appliances unless that was the job booked (burns test etc).
There certainly seems something off about this visit

MUST they keep shoes or muddy boots on when simply using the toilet, upstairs?

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Whether genuine or not, this is a wrong’un. Unacceptable behaviour. My old mum would have told him where to go, bless her.

 

[Justice]

I have submitted an online report with the full details, and that it was also reported to British Gas. She is a little vague and may not be aware if anything is missing, as of yet.

On a side note Install a ring door bell or similar it is well worth it I can almost guarantee he would of clocked it and moved on.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

When I worked for Yorkshire Electricity, the meter readers would get an extra £15 for every meter tamper they found. They search for pin pricks in the cables, and signs of nuts being 'wrenched' especially.

Gas meter readers are not Corgi qualified to inspect appliances.

@birthofanorange complain to her gas provider but it could be the 'meter reader' was working for Centrica.

Scaring old ladies. Sounds like this one should have his nuts wrenched!