Smallfry
HE's Spartacus.
- Messages
- 2,248
- Location
- Kent UK
My mums house, she passed away many years ago, has been unoccupied for a lot of that time. I still use the workshop and garage and stay there from time to time. It is also a too handy junk repository 
Anyway, very early last year, I had the gas meter removed and the account closed, because of the ever increasing standing charge. However, recently there have been letters put though the door from SGN, the gas infrastructure company, demanding to inspect the incomer for safety purposes. They supplied a phone number to call, but no one ever answered it, so frustrated at this, I phoned their head office and arranged an appointment with them.
SGN man duly turned up Tuesday, and I said to him that is really about me stealing gas ! But no. Apparently they are obliged by statutory regulations to disconnect the incomer from the main supply pipe. I have read the regulations and this IS indeed the case. He had his utility maps, and used a cat scanner to trace the pipes, which appear to be buried under the concrete drive. He said they will have to dig this up, to which I replied that it wasn't happening and saw no reason why it could not stay as is, as at some point in the future I will have the gas reconnected, but apparently not.
So, having had past experience of utilities workmen, the drive will be ruined, along with a fair bit of the garden. An added complication is that there is a vehicle on the drive that cannot be moved. It has no tax MOT or insurance, so I cannot put it on the road, as one of the f**kwit neighbours will be straight on the the Police and the DVLA. Also, the property will be devalued because of the lack of gas supply, and the cost AND damage of reconnection, probably a couple of £K. They insist they are going to do it, and no doubt they will have a legal right, no matter how much it costs ME, for this entirely unnecessary and pointless exercise.
So, I can either let them do it, with all the hassle that entails, OR, get a new meter and connection, thus having to pay standing charges again, despite no gas ever being used. Or do I let them do it and hope any new owner will want the expense of a heat pump, or whatever inadequate technology they come up with in the meantime ?
I am feeling rather over a barrel with this
Anyway, very early last year, I had the gas meter removed and the account closed, because of the ever increasing standing charge. However, recently there have been letters put though the door from SGN, the gas infrastructure company, demanding to inspect the incomer for safety purposes. They supplied a phone number to call, but no one ever answered it, so frustrated at this, I phoned their head office and arranged an appointment with them.
SGN man duly turned up Tuesday, and I said to him that is really about me stealing gas ! But no. Apparently they are obliged by statutory regulations to disconnect the incomer from the main supply pipe. I have read the regulations and this IS indeed the case. He had his utility maps, and used a cat scanner to trace the pipes, which appear to be buried under the concrete drive. He said they will have to dig this up, to which I replied that it wasn't happening and saw no reason why it could not stay as is, as at some point in the future I will have the gas reconnected, but apparently not.
So, having had past experience of utilities workmen, the drive will be ruined, along with a fair bit of the garden. An added complication is that there is a vehicle on the drive that cannot be moved. It has no tax MOT or insurance, so I cannot put it on the road, as one of the f**kwit neighbours will be straight on the the Police and the DVLA. Also, the property will be devalued because of the lack of gas supply, and the cost AND damage of reconnection, probably a couple of £K. They insist they are going to do it, and no doubt they will have a legal right, no matter how much it costs ME, for this entirely unnecessary and pointless exercise.
So, I can either let them do it, with all the hassle that entails, OR, get a new meter and connection, thus having to pay standing charges again, despite no gas ever being used. Or do I let them do it and hope any new owner will want the expense of a heat pump, or whatever inadequate technology they come up with in the meantime ?
I am feeling rather over a barrel with this
