Treharne13:

I contacted Transco on the advice from Scottish and Southern Electric and they advised me they no longer deal with queries relating to locating the MPR number

In the absence of any feedback to my query I'll just deal with one thing for the benefit of others.

It's extremely disappointing that the Scottish and Southern Electric and "Transco" staff you spoke with weren't clued-up enough to be helpful though I think they are paid to be helpful.

Researching this response I learned of, or possibly was reminded of, something that is obviously not widely understood. "Transco" is no more, its former activities now being delivered by National Grid. Specifically the MPRN enquiry function is now provided by, possibly hived off to, the "M Number enquiry line". Details here, including the telephone number...

http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Gas/About/About+Gas+Meters/

Treharne13:

Though, I can switch off the gas supply in this flat, my gas meter is locked in someone elses garden on the complex.

I'll get back on this tomorrow, but can you post a fuller description of the gas meter location, access to the garden and means of locking and who holds the key.

I would appreciate it if you could advise me? I moved to a new build shared ownership in April 2009. I was given a MPR number by the person selling me my share in the property with the meter reading and the company, Scottish and Southern Electric. I telephoned Scottish and Southern Electric and they recognised the electric meter but not the gas. Since then I have successfully paid direct debit for electric on a monthly basis.

On two occasions I telephoned the shared ownership company, Places for People and they gave me different MRP numbers. Contacting Scottish and Southern Electric again they could not find the newly given numbers. I wrote to Scottish and Southern Electric again asking them to up my direct debit to ensure they had funds in their account to pay for the gas I had used and they wrote back to me telling me to contact Transco and did not increase my direct debit.

I contacted Transco on the advice from Scottish and Southern Electric and they advised me they no longer deal with queries relating to locating the MPR number. I once again wrote to Places for People a few months ago with a copy of the correspondence I had received from Scottish and Southern Electric plus Transco and I still have not received a response. Though, I can switch off the gas supply in this flat, my gas meter is locked in someone elses garden on the complex.

The point I got a shared ownership scheme is that my finances are stretched and I am trying to budget accordingly. This is really going against the principle of the scheme and I am clueless on how to proceed.

Thank you for any assistance given.