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Have You Checked Your Electric Meter's Legal Seal?

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

On my inspections I routinely check the legal seal under the electric meter. If it is broken, I note it.

Recently some clients of mine were challenged by the electric company that installed a new meter on their house to show why they should not be fined ($500) for tampering with the former meter's broken legal seal. While the clients could not prove that they did NOT fiddle with it, they were able to use my report commentary, and date onThe small blue tag is the legal seal the relevant page, to prove that the broken seal pre-existed their occupancy.  The legal seal is the small blue tag under the meter in the photo.

No blood, no foul!

They were not fined! Sure, it's one of a thousand things we home inspectors check on every inspection. But if it is not documented, it is not documented.

I got a very grateful thank you note... one can only hope that they also sent a Nyah! Nyah! note to the electric company!

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments(8)

Kelly Willey
Coco Plum Real Estate, Kelly Willey, FLORIDA KEYS - Marathon, FL
Florida Keys Luxury Sales, Marathon, Key Colony

Jay: Great bit of information I did not know. And you just made customers for life who will surely refer you to everyone they know!!!!

Nov 24, 2008 11:18 PM
Heather the Realtor Orlando, Lake Mary
LemonTree Realty - Orlando, FL
First Time Home Buyers, Bank Owned Homes

Wow that is a great tip and Im sure that happens a lot on bank owned homes. thanks for the blog and I will make sure my inspectors do the same.

Nov 24, 2008 11:29 PM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Jay, that is something I always document.  For one thing when I find it cut----it can mean work has been done without permits or that permits have never gotten finaled.

Nov 25, 2008 12:38 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Kelly - you're welcome!  There are probably dozens of things going on in a home inspector's head that you are not thinking!

Orlando - Hopefully you don't have to bring it up!

Charles - Yepper!

Nov 25, 2008 09:01 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I did not know this - am making mental note now.  I love this stuff - thanks!

Nov 25, 2008 10:20 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

When you have a question Susan, let me know!  And look at what I said to Kelly above...

Nov 25, 2008 10:25 PM
Laura Giannotta
Keller Williams Realty - Atlantic Shore - Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Your Realtor Down the Shore!

Jay, I never though of having the meter checked and I've never seen it noted in an inspection report.  I will check in the future.  Thanks, very useful info!

Laura G

Nov 25, 2008 10:34 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Laura - I see cut seals about 6 times a year.  It is always an issue with the electric company.

Nov 25, 2008 11:20 PM