Sigh... upstairs - advice please

[Kaz]

Ria, I agree with the others. It's up to this guy to pay to move the boxes, as it is not your problem - you are being entirely reasonable about access, after all

I also remember you mentioning the Happy Couple Aside from having a word with them, which I admit could be embarrassing, I don't see what else you can do. I must admit it would annoy me too, so I do sympathise! xxx

[Kaz]

:lol: there are a couple on tv now(this morning)who can orgasm for 18hrs by hugging well there's a thought

That could get very tiresome!

[meriad]

Yes, I also remember mention of the "noise" from upstairs.

Ria, when it comes to the meter you might need legal help. From what I understand you allowed the previous owner to move the meters to their current location on your proprty. That might have seemed reasonable at the time and when access was only needed for readings.

However, the new owner has moved the goalposts by changing the meter to pre-paid, which of course needs much more access, access you never agreed to. And I am also pretty sure that the person doing the gas safety check is giving good advice re its location. To me those two things put the onus on the new owner to get his rented accommodation in proper legal order.

I suspect that an independent gas safety check would recommend moving the meter onto his property and that until such time as that is done he is breaking the law. Does the council have a service dealing with private rental problems?

No Frank... and sorry I wasn't clear. The meters were moved when the previous owner of my flat (Melissa) built the extension, which was about 2 years before I bought the flat. At the time Rob, the upstairs owner had bought as well. Rob is still the owner and he started subletting about 6 months after I moved in. It always used to be a regular metered meter, until the tenants before the ones now (Sarah and her son Jacob - I think I complained about them a few times) didn't pay the gas bill so the gas company changed the meter to a pre-pay one. That was done without mine nor Rob's knowledge. Sarah had let them into my property without my knowledge which I wasn't best pleased, hence now having the padlock. Sarah subsequently never used the gas because for every £10 she'd top up they'd dock £5 for the outstanding money. The meter still is a pre-pay and Joseph (current tenant) are fine about it. I check their credit amount on the meter every so often and let them know when they need to top up; he then comes round after work in the evening and 2 mins later all is sorted. I've also told Rob (owner) that my annual boiler service is due the same time is gas safety inspection is due so once I'd arranged my service I'd let him know and give him plenty notice that he can make arrangements for his gas guy to come do the gas safety inspection the same day. Simple really

I think the 'issue' is that Rob is a qualified plumber and the gas guy is a friend so between the two they're trying to pull weight / rank.

I suspect that an independent gas safety check would recommend moving the meter onto his property and that until such time as that is done he is breaking the law. Does the council have a service dealing with private rental problems?

Interestingly, earlier this year - or maybe end last year - I called both the National Grid as well as SSE Power who are the main gas companies and both said that one besides for emergencies I am apparently not legally required to give access at all. Meter readings and prepay top ups can now be done online; but for the sake of neighbourly relations it is considered polite to give access when asked (or so they said).

[Workingman]

I called both the National Grid as well as SSE Power who are the main gas companies and both said that one besides for emergencies I am apparently not legally required to give access at all....

I thought that might be the case. If the new owner wants to be an arse about this then maybe it is time for you to be a bit less neighbourly. At the end of the day he has to obey the law in order to let the property.

[miasmum]

Imagine if you had people round for dinner that would sure put you off your coq au vin wouldn't it

[AliasAggers]

I really think you should get a solicitor's advice on this one, Ria.

[meriad]

Imagine if you had people round for dinner that would sure put you off your coq au vin wouldn't it

i'll just make sure we all start laughing really really loud

but in all seriousness, my mom will be staying with me for Christmas and yes, she's had 5 children and isn't a prude, but still - she'll be sleeping in the lounge and not her having to listen to that every day is it?

[miasmum]

No its not fair so I think you need to hang fire for now see how it goes but if it doesn't improve then you will have take a deep breath and ask them if for those 5 days they could keep the noise down. Who knows the novelty of letting the world know might wear off.

[Kaz]

Absolutely right Shell