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(1) Subject to these Rules, a distribution company shall disconnect natural gas supply to a customer where the customer

(a) fails to pay for bills for the service used for more than twenty-eight days from the date of demand of payment;

(b) defaults on an agreed payment schedule for the service;

(c) defaults on an agreed payment schedule for the installation of the service;

(d) tampers or interferes with a meter or a public utility equipment or permits a person to damage a public utility’s installation or equipment;

(e) illegally connects the service or allows the service to be used in a manner that will interfere with the supply to others:

(f) uses a service which is legally connected in an unauthorised manner,

(g) refuses to allow a public utility employee or agent to read a meter or check utility equipment when the public utility employee has followed the prescribed procedures for obtaining access; or

(h) Request the termination personally.

(2) Where a customer’s natural gas supply is disconnected for failure to pay a bill, the distribution company shall request the customer to pay a refundable advance before reconnecting the customer in accordance with rule 19 and the payment of a reconnection fee determined by the distribution company.

(3) Subject to these Rules, a customer’s natural gas supply shall not be disconnected by the distribution company where

(a) the natural gas supply to the customer’s premises was obtained contrary to rule 2, but without the knowledge or action of the customer,

(b) the customer has lodged a complaint with the public utility in respect of a disputed bill and has paid or continues to pay a reasonable amount;

(c) a complaint in respect of a disputed bill or meter reading is under investigation by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission or a customer service committee established by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and the customer has paid or continues to pay a reasonable amount;

(d) an unpaid bill is in the name of a previous occupant or owner and the current occupant of the premises did not use the service billed; or

(e) There is no evidence of tire customer having been undercharged by the distribution company.

(4) A distribution company shall disconnect natural gas supply to a customer, where on the distribution company’s inspection of tire customer’s installation, the distribution company realises that the customer’s installation does not conform with the technical and safety standards.

(5) Despite sub-rule (4), the distribution company shall reconnect supply to the customer in accordance with the standards of performance for natural gas distribution and sale, provided the customer has complied with the technical and safety standards for the supply of natural gas.