Lockable electrical socket blockers

[FrankJH]

Anyone know of if / where I can get electrical socket blockers that lock in place?

Ive looked on google and a few hardware places but cant see anything

I have a tennant who refuses to pay the electrical bill, so while I go to the court (which will take time) to get them evicted, I dont want them using any more electric, so I need socket blockers which can be locked in place

Any ideas anyone?

(Even if you cant mention a store, a product name or manufacturer stock code would be helpful)

 

[FrankJH]

Can you not just take the fuses out of the consumer unit?

Ive already tried and she just replaces them

the tennent would twist these of....i use them but there not angry tennent proof.....the only way i could see round it is to get your power company to install a power card system or some kind of pay as you use £1 slot meter.......easy to do and sorts this problem out in the future aswell

hmmm thats an idea thank you - does this have to be done on a household basis, or room by room (as I live in the same property)

The other thing is that I would prefer to do this in general from a trust point of view (with the next tennant), but having the above is more of a permanent solution

Any other ideas?

 

[FrankJH]

you would have to do this from the meter...so depending on how the house is wired would depend on how many meters you could fit......e.g ideal solution is one meter for your area (regular style) and one meter for tennents area (pay as you go style)....in theory though it depends as i say on how its been wired...this you would need to check out because if its a case of a lighting circuit that does the house and a socket ring main for the house then you would need to turn this in to lighting circuit for upstairs and one for downstairs...same with the sockets and any other power she was using.....check it out and let me know what you see.....

Im in a flat, and the meter is in the hall (ie all flats have meters in this location)

I then have a main fuse box (unfortunately in her/ guest bath room) in the flat itself, but even that I believe has one circuit for both bedrooms - and the hall , so Im not sure if it would be simple to change at all

I appreciate the advice very much though

 

[FrankJH]

I sympathise with your problem.

Stopping the electric supply to your tenant is classed as harassment and is both a civil and criminal offence.

Check this link; http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/harassment.htm

If she refuses to pay the electric bill - how can I be harrassing her? Im in the same flat so its nothing to do with unexpected visits.

THank you for letting me know that though - its appreciated.

She has also gotten into leaving EVERY single light on (about 12 in her and the common areas) of the flat on, both when she goes out and when she goes to bed - after me. Trying to leave them on all day and night completely wasting energy.

Without going to the expence of timing switches, I had no other option apart from removing majority of the bulbs. She still has one light available in her room, a couple in the kitchen and one in the sitting room. This was for a whole week in a row , every night and day this was done until I removed 2/3 of the bulbs. She even went as far as to turn her bathroom light on, close the door (after using the bathroom) and purposefully leave the light on every night. After a week of having to get up to turn her light off I got sick of this (as I hope anyone would understand)

Looks like I will have to apply for an eviction order after all - after trying to show a "friend" some kindness (I said last Oct she could stay here rent free for a short period, however now I cant afford to give her the room or utilities for free she starts getting difficult and nasty), they repay with this kind of attitude.

The original question was to stop her playing music in her room or charging the laptop I previously lent her etc etc. Im being forced into a corner it feels like

rant over lol sorry

when the tenant wont pay for the amenities they can be shut off, this is only if everything is paid for and up to date

I was hoping that would be a reasonable explanation - fortunately (for the situation, as it were) she is paying rent several weeks behind - she just refuses to pay utility costs. I will know for sure next week, but Im pretty certain she is also paying a day late on purpose.

 

[FrankJH]

You said she could stay rent free for a short time, did she sign a contract?

sounds like it could be an informal agreement?

in which case, change the locks.

No - Im not allowed to do that, as her stuff is actually here, so she has a right of access according to the police.

No she hasnt signed a contract