Help.....I genuinely need help wiv this...

[angeldraws]

The gas board have jus been to my house askin if anyone lives in the house over the road. No-one has seen anyone go in or out for ages but this isn't unusual as we are not really a close knit community. Another guy whose house is adjoined to his went and cut the grass the other night as we were all fed up of the state it had gotten into - tho i don't know if this was negotiated or the guy jus went and did it....
I explained this to the gas board geezer and he said they were gonna have to break in and said they were authorised to do it - in case i was concerned. No-one else in the surrounding houses were in and i'm guessing this is why he came to me. Having gained entry to the property he then returned saying that they hadnt any need to break in as the house was vacant and both back and front doord had been left unlocked, so i'm guessing (again) that the occupier had done a moonlight!!! The gas board had done what they needed to but had to leave the house how they found it and had no means of locking it up so were just letting someone know....
My question is....what do i do with that information?? I can't stand guard over the place till the owner rolls up as i don't know when or indeed IF they will....should i inform the police so they can trace the owner...? i didn get a reg plate no or anything tho i don't suspect anything untoward...Uh?? Anyone....?

[kazza12345]

i would tell your neighbours, but i can't see that you have any sort of duty other than that

[redcrx]

I didnt think the gas board could gain entry to a property without permission. The firebrigade certainly have to have a police presence before they can force entry unless lives are at risk.
Call the gas board concerned and check that it was all above board and ask what they are going to do to secure the property.

[angeldraws]

Hi - thanks guys.

@ Kazza - dya mean the other neighbours in the surrounding houses cos i don't know how to get hold of the owners of the house concerned....i think they may have been renting the house out. I don't really know my neighbours....

@redcrx - yea i thought of that but they did appear to have 'plain clothed' authoratitive persons with them...still, doesn't mean anything these days does it....?

[redcrx]

Its always best to double check. If it was all above board then they should make sure its fairly secure afterwards. If it wasnt an authorised entry (ie it was a break-in) then you will need to contact police.
Im sure that if it was your property youd appreciate someone calling to check it was all correct.

[kazza12345]

i meant your other neighbours (ie the man who hoovered their grass for them)

[nect4r]

Hoovering grass? Wow, he must have been a real clean freak! ;)

[Artemis]

All Gas and Elec Utility Companies can gain access by whatever force is neccessary with a Court Warrant and must leave the doors as they found them. The Police do not have to be present.
The Utility companies will routinely do this when unpaid bills are mounting up and disconnection is needed or a pre-payment meter is to be installed. This is usually done as a last resort when all other avenues have been exhausted.

[noxlumos]

Buy a padlock, stick it on the door and hope no-one turns up there saying they own it in the next few years,then claim the house:)

[angeldraws]

Excellent answer nox - but not original......i had thought of renting it out but the gas board chappy wanted half the proceeds....!!

Anyone looking for a house to rent..... Lol

[angeldraws]

@ artemis - yea that's basically wot the guy said - and did... cheers

[Localgirl]

If the house is council-owned then you should phone the council and let them know. If the occupier was also the owner then you should let the police know.

[Rock'n'Roll]

I think gas board officials do have right of entry,but doubt they have forcible right of entry without the plods being there. A call to police can't do any harm and at least you'll have done your neighbourly deed,even if they choose to ignore it

[angeldraws]

cheers guys - all taken on board - still havent done anything about it yet....

@ localgirl - no babe, it isn't a council house - no disrespect to anyone living in council houses tho, but the houses near here are all detached and quite expensive and i would hate for it to get wrecked....