Energy provider's "right" to enter my property?

[Goochie]

For the last 2 years we've been with our gas and electricity supplier, we've been supplying DIY meter readings on a bi-monthly basis. On a few occasions over this period, a meter reading company has tried and failed to read the meter because we've been out.

However, a couple of months ago, a meter reading person did catch my wife in the house and read both the gas and electricity meters. Their reading is shown on a bill as being taken by them and not us.

Last week we recieved a letter from the supplier saying that they have a legal right to "inspect the meter for safety and accuracy every 2 years" and that they want to visit in a few days time when we'll both be at work.

Do they actually have a right to do this? Surely the official meter reader than visited a couple of months ago should be sufficient?

[Strangely Brown]

Goochie said:

Do they actually have a right to do this? Surely the official meter reader than visited a couple of months ago should be sufficient

It's not a meter reading, it's a safety inspection and I think you'll find that you ARE required to grant access. That doesn't mean it has to be at their choosing though. Tell them that you WILL grant access but when you are home, unless they are prepared to to pay for your lost wages.

Also found this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Look familiar?

Edited by Strangely Brown on Thursday 6th August 15:06