Two flats, one electricity meter

trixy_treat

my partner and I live with our 9 month old son in a 1 bed flat which is rented. we weren't told til after we signed the tenancy agreement that there is a funny meter upstairs which means the meter gives a reading but doesnt have a supply, that comes from our meter. but its ok cause noone lives up there. well now someone does, he gets our electric bills, takes his meter reading works out from that how much his elecrtric bill is and pays us for it. the last bill we had was for £23 or something close for a month from british gas and he worked out he payed half and so payed us half. we have since switched to e-on and our most recent bill was £114 for three months!! even though we switched because it was supposedly cheaper!! and he's done his sums and given us £14. for 3 months.

Is there any legal grounds for us getting him his own meter, I dont care if he is the landlords son, I am NOT paying for his electric and I think its disgusting that he thinks £14 is a reasonable amount to pay for 3 months electric!! We cant work out ourselves how much he has to pay because I have no idea how to, and none of the electric companies have ever heard of a meter like ours.

We've had someone look at his meter and we were told its a simple case of fusing it or something, would take 10 minutes to do and I want it done.

thanks
~TriX~

Cardew

It is usually not a simple matter to get your own supply and meter, as it involves getting a separate electrical supply to the upstairs flat. Also he will probably need a new consumer unit(fuse box)

There are quite a few flats with your metering arrangement. To work out how much he should pay is quite easy, but you need to be able to read his meter.

Say, you have used 1,000 kWh on a bill and the bill is £100, you need to see how much he has used and if it is say, 200 kWh, he owes you £20.

Obviously this means you will need to keep a record of his meter readings.

There is certainly nothing illegal in having that arrangement, it is between you and the landlord.

Terrylw1

The "funny" meter you are referring to is known as a "submeter". These are installed by electricians for landlords thesedays. It basically is just attached to allow the landlord to record the readings and split the bill when the actual elec bill comes in.

You need to speak to the landlord about this matter because it should have be convered in your tenancy agreement. If not, you need to get it covered. The only meter that your electricity Supplier can bill against is the main meter that is connected the the incoming supply. Whoever has their name on that bill is legally responsible for all electricity hence this can be a tricky situation.

Usually what happens is that the landlord will put their name on the bills and then deal with this submetering...which normally involves tokens that you buy off them (and the prices are not the same as some tenants have found to their cost in the past).

Speak to your landlord about it. From an elec point of view, it's a 3rd party matter between you all since their is only one incoming supply & legal billing requirement.

A new supply can be fitted but it requires payment to joint it, it has to be planned and the owner of the property has to agree it. It's not that simple I'm afraid.

Your elec Supplier will know about problems like this as it's not uncommon but the problem is that they are not in much of a position to help other than offer advice.

The landlord will own that meter so if you damage it, he/she may not approve. Don't do anything with your incoming supply though or the main meter or you will be tampering which is illegal.

davidgmmafan

Totally agree the elec company will have no record or, or interest in the sub meter. Electricity bills are relatively easy to work out compared to gas. You just need to know no of units billed at the higher rate each quarter or each year, or the standing charge if there is one. The rest is billed at the follow on rate. You NEED to other chaps meter readings to do this.