Entry to a property by a utility company

[Sqrpurple]

Hi - Can anyone advise on my rights ?

I called British Gas (on 26.06.07) to make an appointment , for a meter inspection to take place between 8am-12pm on the 2nd July 2007. This inspection was carried out on 02.02.07.

On the 11th of July, (09.42am) British Gas were attempting to enter my property - with a warrant, to inspect the meter - after they had attended the property a week and a half previously.

I was also informed that a warrant had been signed on 28.06.06 - TWO days after I had spoken with British Gas.

After numerous attempts to speak with a manager, and speaking with British Gas after 5pm, I was told that the situation occurred after 'a computer error'.

I told British Gas that I am seeking compensation for the fact that British gas had entered the property without prior notice. Their first initial offer was a miserly �144 credit to my gas account - with �30 offered for the cost of telephone calls. This is clearly unacceptable.

As a lone female, in the property when British Gas were entering the property, this caused an element of distress and anxiety at the time.

I am seeking advice as to what I can do to achieve an acceptable conclusion and acceptable compensation, in relation to this matter - and hopefully prevent this type of situation happening again - as the impression I have is that the attitude of British Gas is that they do not give a damn.

[Goodsoulette]

What do you think you should get?

My ex tried busting in to my house and he got a fixed penalty notice of 80 quid. I didnt see a penny. I even fixed the door.

Did the phone calls really cost more than 30 quid?

�144, as a single woman thats got to be like 9 months of your gas bill.

I cant imagine you getting anything else.

[radiogaga]

sorry to hear of your trouble, i have heard of this before, an elderly couple were on holiday and british gas broke into there property and fitted a pay meter, problem was it was the wrong address, when the couple got home they could not enter their own house as british gas had changed the locks. the couple went to the press. maybe you should do the same.

[radiogaga]

the heavy handed tactic's of british gas need to by looked at. its not acceptable. shame them

[joko]

that is outrageous!!
not even the police can enter without a warrant!
bg are just a company!
if they have a problem they should make arrangememts to call, not break in - to read the effin meter!!

if theres an issue, cut off the supply - you don't change peoples locks!! - i am stunned!

i would go to the press - not just for you, but for whoevers next!

[Meg888]

A similar thing happened with me with Scottish Power - I went to a solicitor and apparantly they are allowed to enter with a warrent - however you are supposed to receive allsorts of correspondance forwarning you of the event - I didn't either, but they produced "copies" of stuff supposedly sent prior to entry. My solicitor was useless, and eventually I gave up - wish i'd stuck at it though - so try and persevere as I believe this is wrong and until enough people complain, nothing will happen. You are right to persue a decent amount of compensation - they entered your home without your permission, therefore, you want compensated for the trauma & stress of the situ - i've been there and i felt terrible at the thought people are supposedly legally allowed to enter when you're not even at home. continued

[Meg888]

continued from last answer

My situ was this - I had run into arrears with SP and was paying a set amount by SO each month - somehow they managed to get a judge to sign a warrant even though i was paying the bill....?? They then arrived with a master locksmith and gained entry while I was at work, whilst telling my neighbours "she didn't bother turning up at court and she owes us money". I received no correspondence from them indicating there was a problem. They acknowledge my monthly payment, but wanted more. I owed �400 in arrears and was spending roughly �10 pw on elec, so they were getting sufficient off my arrears each month. . Once in, they put in a pre-payment meter & set it to collect �10 per wk off my arrears, whilst paying my elec as i use it. They were getting �100 per month off me, so now they are getting less. By the time they got round to installing the meter, I was only in arrears by approx �170 - but they added more than �200 to the bill for the visit. They also installed the meter 10' from the floor, therefore it takes a pair of ladders to even read it, never mind access it. I live in a bungalow as i am disabled with my 10yr daughter - this doesn't seem to bother them at all. My bf has to ensure i'm ok with the elec each time he comes, because if it was to run out - i would not be able to access the meter. I also found my mail in my living room as opposed to my front door and every door in the house was open, suggesting they had looked in each room. But my solicitor was not v good so please find a good one and get it sorted. Good luck and i'd be interested to know how you get on x

[Peter Pedant]

For Chrissakes it is the warrant that makes it legal/lawful !

And so since they were there lawfully, I would accept the �144- quite generous I think

Now the warrant was ex parte (you werent given notice and allowed to speak against it) and did they er lie in order to ge the warrant. Dont go there ! You'll neva find out

Go for the money.

My brother used to pay the arrears in gas and elec for his tenants on the grounds that it is cheaper than replacing the doors and locks

[themas]

If you want to pursue this you can go through BGs formal complaints procedure (they must give you it if you ask) and then to the Energy Supply Ombudsman - see website.