nexy

Use case

Agree who records a meter reading before a handover

Before a property handover or tenancy change, one person needs to read a specific utility meter and share the reading with the recipient who needs it for records. The person taking the reading and the recipient agree in advance which meter, which register if there are multiple, and how to flag any uncertainty about the reading.

Use one Nexy thread for one agreement: I will read the electricity meter main register on the morning of the handover and send you the reading by midday. The other person receives a message in the chat they already use, without installing anything or creating an account; reminders stop for a task that is already done.

Try this in Nexy, freeStarts on the web. The other person installs nothing.

What it looks like

An example of people making one clear agreement and confirming when it is done.

How to do it

  1. Start one Nexy thread for the agreement. Agree which specific meter needs reading if there are multiple meters at the property, using the meter serial number or location description to avoid confusion.
  2. Agree which register to read if the meter has multiple displays, such as a day rate and night rate, or total and current period readings. The other person receives a message in the chat they already use and needs no new account.
  3. Agree the deadline for taking and sharing the reading, typically the morning of the handover or the final day of occupancy before keys are returned.
  4. Agree how to communicate uncertainty, such as noting if a digit is unclear, the meter is in a difficult location, or the display is partially obscured. A reminder is most useful while you could still act, usually the evening before.
  5. The person taking the reading confirms completion by sharing the number, the register identified, the date and time, and any uncertainty noted during the reading. Once the task is done, there are no more reminders for that completed task.

Why it works

One clear agreementOne agreement per thread keeps this specific commitment separate from the rest of the conversation.
People choose the ownerAn unclaimed task is announced to the whole group. Nexy does not choose a person or assign it for you.
Done means no remindersA person who has already completed the task is left alone. Finishing is different from receiving another reminder.

Where it stops

Keep the agreement narrow and let the people involved make the decisions.

One agreement per threadUse this thread for the specific agreement, rather than treating it as an entire project.
No automatic assignmentNexy announces unclaimed tasks to the group; the people decide who will act.
No reminders after doneCompleted tasks are not a reason to keep reminding someone.

Questions people ask

What if the meter has multiple registers and we are not sure which one to read?

Agree in advance which register the recipient needs for their records. If the meter shows both a day rate and night rate, or a total and a current period reading, confirm which one matters for the handover. The person requesting the reading should specify exactly which register they need, using the label on the meter display or a photo taken during a previous visit to clarify. If still uncertain, agree to record all visible registers and let the recipient choose the one they need.

What counts as an acceptable meter reading for a handover?

A complete reading includes the number from the agreed register, the date and time it was taken, and identification of the meter if there are several at the property. If any digit is hard to read or the display is partially obscured, note that uncertainty when sharing the reading. The recipient may ask for a second attempt or accept the reading with the uncertainty recorded. A photo of the meter display can accompany the number but does not replace the written figure, which is what the recipient will use for their records.

Who should take the meter reading if both people have access to the property?

The person leaving the property typically takes the reading because they have access up to the handover moment and can time it for the agreed deadline. The incoming person may prefer to take the reading themselves if they want to verify the starting point for their own records. Agree in advance who will do it, so both people know what to expect and the reading is not duplicated or missed entirely. If the outgoing person has already left, the incoming person takes the reading and shares it back.

What if the agreed deadline is missed and the reading is late?

Agree a fallback plan before the deadline arrives, such as taking the reading within a few hours after the original time or on the following day if access is delayed. The person responsible for the reading should let the recipient know as soon as they realize the deadline will be missed, so the recipient can decide whether to wait or arrange an alternative. If the handover has already happened and no reading was taken, the incoming person may need to take the next available reading and note the delay for the records.

What should be included when sharing the meter reading?

Share the number from the agreed register, the date and time the reading was taken, and the meter identification if there are multiple meters or registers. If any part of the display was unclear, note which digit was uncertain or obscured. Include the unit shown on the meter, such as kilowatt-hours for electricity or cubic metres for gas, so the recipient knows what the number represents. The recipient may ask for a second check if the reading seems inconsistent with previous records or expectations, so keep access available until confirmation.

What if the meter is in a locked cupboard or hard-to-reach location?

Agree in advance how the person taking the reading will access the meter, including where to find keys or who will unlock the cupboard. If the meter is in a difficult location such as a high cupboard or outside cabinet, agree whether a second person should assist or whether a torch or stepladder is needed. The person taking the reading should let the recipient know immediately if they cannot reach the meter safely, so an alternative arrangement can be made before the handover deadline passes.

What if the meter display is broken or showing an error message?

The person taking the reading should report the problem to the recipient as soon as they see the broken display or error, including what the display shows or does not show. Agree whether to contact the utility provider together or whether the incoming person will handle the report after the handover. Take a photo of the error display for reference, and note the date and time the problem was discovered. The recipient may decide to use the last known reading from before the handover and adjust records once the meter is repaired or replaced.

What if the person taking the reading is uncertain about which number to record?

Ask the recipient before taking the reading rather than guessing which number is correct. If the meter has multiple rows of digits or displays that change, describe what is visible and let the recipient confirm which one they need. If still unsure during the reading, record all visible numbers and let the recipient choose afterwards. It is better to share too much detail and let the recipient clarify than to share a number that turns out to be the wrong register or an incomplete reading.

Do this with Nexy

Start free on the web. Tell Nexy what the two of you agreed on and it takes it from there: it asks, reminds whoever still has to act, and tells everyone when it is done.

Start free

No app needed to begin, and nothing at all for the other person.

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