Access to your home

[Odin 13]

I received a letter today from the city I live in telling me to call them to set up an "appointment time" for them to enter my home to "replace, repair & inspect my water meter". I am a very private individual & do not desire to have any stranger in my domicile for ANY fucking reason so inane. How would other individuals (you) handle this? I have a sneaky feeling the basterds will counter with the threat of turning off my water if I ignore them.

[oibchip]

Your water meter is located in the interior of your home?

[seymorebunz]

Most water meters in the U.S. are located outside of the home. They are typically installed right off of the main. Water meter readers check them periodically without coming into anyone's home.

[PsychoDrogue]

yeah. usually its outside...

I keep all my stuff in the furthest room from my front door. that way any guests dont walk in the wrong door looking for the bathroom.

If you have to comply, just make sure your home when they do. I leave a note on the door saying my rotties in the back room so it would be best not to open that door.

[Odin 13]

Yep the actual meter is in the basement. It's hooked up to a remote box outside that duplicates the reading on the meter for the dude to read. They never come inside for readings but the letter says like I posted, they want to replace the actual inline meter in the basement.

[apokalypse]

Maybe they're gonna remove the fucker and just leave one outside.. who knows. Got any buddies that are plumbers/handymen? See if they can vouch for you that it's working fine..

[bugs]

Betcha they've gone to a new model. That happened to me a few years ago and I had to let them in toc do the deed. I think, legally, the meter is considered the water company's property and somewhere in the fine print you have to let them in to service it. Bummer.

[spacecake]

Have a little more faith...
You sound like an old grumpy men... lol

[oibchip]

No worries bro...they know where the meter is...and they do not have access to the whole home anyways(only to the meter). If they have to set an appt. You or someone you trust will be there to tell them where the meter is. Even search warrants have to have parameters.

[bugs]

That's 'cause I am!!!

[Odin 13]

You nailed it on the head, a grumpy old man who has seen enough of life to know no one can be trusted. a few years back when the air conditioning went out I was watching the guys to keep them honest when the phone rang. They only had 5 minutes but a week later, I realized that a good 10 cd's were gone from my collection. The world is full of idiots, thieves, & all around assholes who I don't want in my house for whatever reason. The technicion could be some tweeker on the job for less than a week who looks for places to "visit" later on. Read other threads here & you soon realize that paranoia is a good thing to have when one wishes to remain low key & under the radar. Try explaining a flow hood & a couple of racks set up in the basement next to the damn meter they want to "replace".

[suckerfree]

Buy a roll of black plastic paint drop thingy ma jiggy. Use it to cover up all your stuff... tape it down. Or better yet... just MOVE everything important for the replacement... and be present the whole time... that's what I'd do...

[Invader Zim]

Originally Posted by suckerfree

Buy a roll of black plastic paint drop thingy ma jiggy. Use it to cover up all your stuff... tape it down. Or better yet... just MOVE everything important for the replacement... and be present the whole time... that's what I'd do...

and show up at the door with a gun slung over your shoulder or obviously stuck in your belt loop

dont listen to me tho prolly get you in more trouble lol....

[TVCasualty]

I'd remove all traces of any strange "gear," then make the basement look like basements should; if it's unfinished, have a big pile of crap stored in it when they come (even if you have to drag stuff down from the house), and make the pile look like it's been there awhile (your vacuum can supply you with some dust to sprinkle on everything for that "long term dusty storage" look if you want to go all the way). That way, no one leaves your house thinking "That was an unusually clean basement, like he just cleaned it out or something." If it's a finished basement, make it look appropriately arranged to deflect curiosity. Also, if you do scatter a layer of dust, you'll see every place the workers touch.

Although that might sound excessively paranoid, the peace of mind you will have afterwards is worth all the effort (even having to re-clean the entire basement is worth it), since you'll know that all anyone saw was a dusty storage area, and that they didn't go poking around (or if they did, raise hell!).

And, I like to schedule awkward appointments for around 11-11:30am so the person is thinking more about lunch, and trying to hurry up and get done.

[troutlips]

Don't sweat it. I've had mine replaced too. Everything wears out over time and needs to be replaced to maintain accuracy.
The gas company routinely replaces it's meters every 25 years.
The worker who replaced my water meter was in and out in about ten minutes.
My advice would be to clear a path to the meter so he has no obstructions and make sure the area is well lit. This will have him/her out of your house as quickly as possible.
Most plumbers I know wouldn't know what a flow hood is anyway.
Making a fuss about something like this will only raise suspicion.
My two cents...

[Doctor D]

Originally Posted by TVCasualty

And, I like to schedule awkward appointments for around 11-11:30am so the person is thinking more about lunch, and trying to hurry up and get done.

Good thinking! And also, put yourself in the shoes of the plumber who has to replace the water meter. It's no fun walking around strangers' houses. It's awkward. The guy wants to get in and get out. Take your necessary precautions, but I wouldn't sweat it.

[casgoodie]

it's good to be paranoid. i agree that you can't trust nobody. yesterday my housemate put some weed on my desk, my room was stank whn i got home, i was paranoid for sure, who could have put weed in my room? is the landlord trying to incriminate me?? better safe than sorry, good luck

[malefacter]

there probably changing it to a unit that transmits the amount of water you use to the truck as it drives by thats what we have id move what i can and cover stuff that you cant with sheets r something kinda politely keep an eye on him make it look like your doing something in the area

[oldiebutnewbie]

Your concern is legitimate. Meter readers, etc. have often told me stories of their involvement with helping the police. They do not need 'probable cause' or other legal nice-ities that can overturn a conviction upon appeal. Such things are remarkably expensive anyway. They are often protected so their names never appear upon the record but their testimony is considered sufficiently reliable to issue a warrant.
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Did your neighbors receive the same letter? If not, you are probably already under suspicion. If so, then it is probably just as others have mentioned, a routine thing. Still......being paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.
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On the other hand you DO need to accomodate their request. You cannot simply ignore them. Ask for info about how many people, for how long, etc. so you can schedule your (valuable) time. Could be months before you can get free for them, ya know? Then, invite them in, be charming and engage them in conversation, and never for a single second take your eyes off of them. Have trustworthy friends on hand if need be. They might pull the old : "May I use your toilet" trick, thus leaving at least one alone without you. You might collect valuable old stamps or coins and simply cannot allow anyone the freedom of your domicile. Don't have any there to tempt their honesty or give them reason to gossip.
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Good luck. Caution is its own reward.

[Lefty]

The advice given was on target, if it's just you out of the whole block...
I once was given a new cable modem w/o paying the bill because my friend was all fucked up, actually we were all VERY jacked up, but he was the only one trying to get the large black cable guy to stay & party/fuck him. Scared the holy hell out of the cable guy, and me, but it worked.