Gas Warrant of Entry.

[rickierich]

I believed that you were not allowed to make or apply for a warrant of entry if you had a dispute with the Gas company regarding the bill, Could you please some show me a reference to the law in question.
I am having real problems finding it thanks.

[charitynjw]

Re: Gas Warrant of Entry.

AFAIK they can apply for a warrant via the Rights of Entry (Gas & Electricity Boards) Act 1954.

All they have to do is cite a 'safety' or 'inspection' issue, & the Mags usually rubber-stamp it.

[enquirer]

Re: Gas Warrant of Entry.

Yes, they can. As charitynjw observes, applications are usually rubber stamped.

The way to attack this is to dispute whether or not the grounds for the application are genuine. Did they lie to the magistrate? Did they conceal key information?

[bluebottle]

Re: Gas Warrant of Entry.

Yes, they can. As charitynjw observes, applications are usually rubber stamped.

The way to attack this is to dispute whether or not the grounds for the application are genuine. Did they lie to the magistrate? Did they conceal key information?

The answers to the two questions you pose, Enquirer, are that in all probability, the magistrates are fed a fairy story and key information is withheld from them. The problem arises when such applications go before Justices of the Peace who, invariably, take everything at face value and do not test or weigh the evidence or ask the necessary questions. In their minds, the energy company must be telling the truth so, therefore, they must do as they asked. However, there appears to be a practice amongst energy companies to conceal the name of the court they intend to apply to for a warrant thereby denying the customer their right to challenge what the energy companies are alleging.

[des8]

Re: Gas Warrant of Entry.

Here's a blog on this subject which makes for an interesting read:
http://thejusticeofthepeace.blog.co....upply-8231890/

[enquirer]

Re: Gas Warrant of Entry.

Interesting, des8.

If entry is forced and a meter fitted on fabricated evidence, then the way forward might be to submit a civil claim against the energy company. Although the householder was denied the right to challenge (that is to say, cause to be examined), the initial warrant application, submitting a claim would force the whole business under the spotlight.