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 on
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!
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!!!!
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.
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.
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!
I did not know this - am making mental note now. I love this stuff - thanks!
When you have a question Susan, let me know! And look at what I said to Kelly above...
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 - I see cut seals about 6 times a year. It is always an issue with the electric company.