AT&T repair guy cut the lock on our back yard gate

[lxskllr]

When I came back from the 4th holidays on Monday, my brother told me that Charter had been there for a service call on Sunday to check out my cable internet. He said they had also booted my laptop. He let them in my apartment.

One problem, I didn't schedule any service calls at all. And I had no idea you could get Charter out on a Sunday...

Yet there was a $35 fee for a service call (7/4/10) on my bill when I checked online.

So apparently Charter made an unscheduled service call to my apartment on a Sunday, looked through my laptop, and then billed me for it.

That would piss me off more than a cut lock. They shouldn't have to access your computer for any reason, certainly not without your consent. I guess your brother gave them consent, but it would be very interesting to hear what the service call was allegedly for.

 

[Zebo]

Easement homey, get used to it in USA you only rent in the first place...I don't care if you paid cash for your place.

 

[BoomerD]

Most likely, AT&T holds a utility easement for the property so they can access the pole. If you lock the gate, they ARE within their rights to cut the lock. I worked for a public electrical utility for several years. We used to cut locks all the time when people would try to restrict access to a legal easement.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-utility-easement.htm

 

[Modelworks]

Easement homey, get used to it in USA you only rent in the first place...I don't care if you paid cash for your place.

yep. I don't think many people that rent even know about it. My brother has a 100ft wide x 3000ft long easement on his property where the power company ran high tension lines, he cannot block access to that part of land in any way shape or form and cannot use it for any other purpose.

You own the property but if the utility has something on the property that requires them to have access they will have a document on file called an easement agreement. That agreement states where what they need to access is located. If the owner blocks access to the location the utility company can use whatever means is the least damaging to the owner to access it. You cannot prevent them from doing it. It is like a temporary pass to walk on your property whenever they have need.

Some utilities have inherent easement rights and do not require a contract. For example people have tried putting a lock box over the meter so it cannot be read by the utility. The utilities removed them , even if it damaged the home because they have the right to.

If you are renting then they need no agreement from you just the one who owns the property.

 

[Zebo]

Yup be lucky they don't charge you xtra for cutting your lock.

 

[Gothgar]

That would piss me off more than a cut lock. They shouldn't have to access your computer for any reason, certainly not without your consent. I guess your brother gave them consent, but it would be very interesting to hear what the service call was allegedly for.

seriously

 

[biggestmuff]

Waaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! You don't own the property. Your first call should have been to your landlord.

 

[Zebo]

Most likely, AT&T holds a utility easement for the property so they can access the pole. If you lock the gate, they ARE within their rights to cut the lock. I worked for a public electrical utility for several years. We used to cut locks all the time when people would try to restrict access to a legal easement.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-utility-easement.htm

That's nothing - when I've checked out O&G wells we've ran though their fencing w 4x4's, tore down structures and cut trees much to chagrin of renters (property owners)

 

[marvdmartian]

Get a bigger, meaner dog. If possible, get him used to the taste of AT&T flesh...... :twisted:

Oh, and as far as easements go, it depends on the laws of your state. When I bought my house, I was told that there was a public easement for 5 feet on either side of the property line. If I built something there, and they needed to use that easement, they had the right to remove it (tear it down or move it), and bill me for that.

Outside the easement, though, is my property. And regardless of their easement, if they come on my property and damage it, they're required to repair the damage, at their cost.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

We have a dog. A dog that knows how to flip the lever to unlock the gate which is why we have it locked with a padlock. Both my roommate and I work all day. So this ass hat just cuts our lock? When did he do this? In the morning? So our gate was unlocked all day?
Seriously..

WTF!!!

I bet the dog could get a job in China. :awe:

 

[rasczak]

I bet the dog could get a job in China. :awe:

as dog chow mein?

 

[TechBoyJK]

lol the dog is harmless. she's an old farm dog and doesn't even bark.

 

[PingSpike]

AT&T does whatever the fuck it wants, whenever the fuck it wants. And you'd better not complain otherwise no iPhone for you!

 

[PingSpike]

Yup be lucky they don't charge you xtra for cutting your lock.

Lock Cutting Fee: $19
War of 1812 tax on Lock Cutting Fees: $72
Total Customer Charge: $91

 

[nick1985]

At least he didnt shit on your lawn on his way out.

 

[PokerGuy]

Take them to small claims court. It's the easiest way to get restitution.

That's what I'd do. Sue AT&T in small claims court, at least get the cost of the lock reimbursed.

 

[bignateyk]

lol the dog is harmless. she's an old farm dog and doesn't even bark.

Hah, this guy would be in a world of hurt if he broke into my backyard. I have two full grown german shepherds that hang out back there. One that is police trained, and the other is a rescue who is very aggressive toward men.

 

[slag]

call the police, not ATT.

I'm serious. Someone broke into your back yard without authorization.

Well now thats not true. As a repairperson, it is his right to unfettered access to poles, lines, etc, pertaining to his job. (think easements) Our utility pole is in our neighbor's backyard and if he goes to the door and no one answers, it is within his right to enter their yard to fix the problem. It does suck that he had to break the padlock to get in, but he has to do his job and was unable to do so. (assuming the situation is similar). I would have thought he would put a tie wrap in place of the lock or something.

We knowingly built a fence over a storm sewer easement and if there was a problem at any point in time, the city could come out and tear up our fence to fix the problem without our permission. Sure, it would suck, but thats how it works.

 

[OutHouse]

yep. I don't think many people that rent even know about it. My brother has a 100ft wide x 3000ft long easement on his property where the power company ran high tension lines, he cannot block access to that part of land in any way shape or form and cannot use it for any other purpose.

You own the property but if the utility has something on the property that requires them to have access they will have a document on file called an easement agreement. That agreement states where what they need to access is located. If the owner blocks access to the location the utility company can use whatever means is the least damaging to the owner to access it. You cannot prevent them from doing it. It is like a temporary pass to walk on your property whenever they have need.

Some utilities have inherent easement rights and do not require a contract. For example people have tried putting a lock box over the meter so it cannot be read by the utility. The utilities removed them , even if it damaged the home because they have the right to.

If you are renting then they need no agreement from you just the one who owns the property.

100% correct.

 

[alkemyst]

being you lived in shared housing, don't block access to utilities.

You probably have a fairly liberal easement applied to your lot that even a fence violates.

 

[alkemyst]

Hah, this guy would be in a world of hurt if he broke into my backyard. I have two full grown german shepherds that hang out back there. One that is police trained, and the other is a rescue who is very aggressive toward men.

neither really have a place around residental areas.

 

[thepd7]

Well now thats not true. As a repairperson, it is his right to unfettered access to poles, lines, etc, pertaining to his job. (think easements) Our utility pole is in our neighbor's backyard and if he goes to the door and no one answers, it is within his right to enter their yard to fix the problem. It does suck that he had to break the padlock to get in, but he has to do his job and was unable to do so. (assuming the situation is similar). I would have thought he would put a tie wrap in place of the lock or something.

We knowingly built a fence over a storm sewer easement and if there was a problem at any point in time, the city could come out and tear up our fence to fix the problem without our permission. Sure, it would suck, but thats how it works.

And in Texas I could shoot him if he didn't announce himself because I have a reasonable belief he is breaking into my property. Especially since I'm betting the OP (renter) was never informed of this by the property owner.

I win. THAT'S how it works.

 

[Zargon]

neither really have a place around residental areas.

sure they do as long he keeps them in check.

 

[alkemyst]

And in Texas I could shoot him if he didn't announce himself because I have a reasonable belief he is breaking into my property. Especially since I'm betting the OP (renter) was never informed of this by the property owner.

I win. THAT'S how it works.

This is why kids shouldn't own guns.

Even though you'd think you were being 'the man', you'd end up as someone's bitch so fast your little head would be spinning.

Good luck with shooting a guy pulling up in an AT&T truck and probably in at least a hanging badge from his neck even if you were a homeowner.

 

[mugs]

And in Texas I could shoot him if he didn't announce himself because I have a reasonable belief he is breaking into my property. Especially since I'm betting the OP (renter) was never informed of this by the property owner.

I win. THAT'S how it works.

How do you know he didn't announce himself? OP wasn't home. You don't think he knocked on the door first when he saw the padlock? He went all the way to the door to put a piece of paper on it, but he didn't bother to knock?