Gas Act 1986

[F1 Meters to be kept in proper order E+W+S

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2B inserted (1.3.1996) by 1995 c. 45, s. 9(2), Sch. 2; S.I. 1996/218, art. 2

3 (1) Every consumer shall at all times, at his own expense, keep all meters— E+W+S

(a) which belong to him, or which are lent or hired to him and are owned otherwise than by the [F2 gas transporter] or a relevant gas supplier; and

(b) by which the quantity of gas supplied is registered,

in proper order for correctly registering the quantity of gas.

(2) In default of the consumer’s doing so—

(a) the [F2 gas transporter] may disconnect his premises; and

(b) any relevant gas supplier may cut off the supply of gas to his premises.

(3) In the case of any consumer, the [F2 gas transporter] or any relevant gas supplier shall at all times, without charge to the consumer, keep any meter which is owned by him and is lent or hired to the consumer in proper order for correctly registering the quantity of gas supplied.

(4) Sub-paragraph (3) above is without prejudice to any remedy the transporter or supplier may have against the consumer for failure to take proper care of the meter.

(5) In the case of any consumer, the [F2 gas transporter], any relevant gas supplier and any relevant gas shipper—

(a) shall have power to remove, inspect and re-install any meter by which the quantity of gas supplied is registered; and

(b) shall, while any such meter is removed, fix a substitute meter on the premises;

and, subject to sub-paragraph (6) below, the cost of removing, inspecting and re-installing a meter and of fixing a substitute meter shall be defrayed by the transporter, supplier or shipper.

(6) Where such a meter is removed for the purpose of being examined by a meter examiner in accordance with section 17 of this Act, the expenses incurred in removing, examining and re-installing the meter and fixing a substitute meter shall be defrayed as follows—

(a) if the examination is carried out at the request of any person and the meter is found in proper order, by that person;

(b) if the meter is not so found, by the person required by sub-paragraph (1) or (3) above to keep the meter in proper order.

(7) A meter is found in proper order for the purposes of sub-paragraph (6) above if it is found to register correctly or to register erroneously to a degree not exceeding the degree permitted by regulations under section 17 of this Act.

(8) Nothing in this paragraph shall apply in relation to any meter which, in pursuance of an agreement falling within section 17(14) of this Act, is used for ascertaining the quantity of gas supplied to a consumer if either—

(a) the agreement was entered into before the appointed day; or

(b) the [F2 gas transporter] and each relevant gas shipper have agreed that the meter should be kept in proper order by a person other than the consumer.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 2B para. 3 substituted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 108, Sch. 6 Pt. I para. 2(1); S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 2B para. 3(6)(b) applied (with modifications) (1.3.1996) by S.I. 1996/399, art. 7(2)(b)