Gas Smart Meter - No Display/Battery Dead - Estimated Closing Read?

Ectophile

Be honest, do you think that Octopus will:

1. Dismantle the dead meter to get at the non volatile memory inside.
2. Attempt to extract all the data they can.
3. Re-calculate all the old bills based on the readings they have got.
4. Either give a refund or chase the OP for more money.

Or:

1. Lob the dead meter in the recycling bin.
2. Start billing again with the new meter.

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82170243#Comment_82170243

Yes and no

Some people may not be aware but the op is not the bill/account holder but a landlord.

The tenant has or is moving out and the landlord was taking an opening/closing reading so he will pay for the gas used after they have left.

The tenant should of chased the energy company about the non working meter and sorted it but they .ay have but it hasn't been mentioned the OP.

Swipe

It'll just get estimated for the OP from the date the tenant left. The NVM readings would be of no use to them anyway as they'd be months out of date and any estimate is not going to reflect real time usage if the house is currently empty.

jimjames

OP says no readings for 13 months but how does he know that if he is not the bill payer?

That was what Octopus told me, last reading received from meter was Aug 2025 and estimated since then

It wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibilities that someone (even at Octopus) has assumed no display = dead battery. I doubt anyone has actually checked it.

I've tried the meter on a couple of occasions as has the new tenant. Nothing seems to wake it but will see if we can try again. The extended time where it hasn't communicated does suggest to me that it's the battery - otherwise smart meters seem a bit daft if they can stop sending readings in sleep mode for years.

If he is a landlord why can't he have access to the house when the tenant moves out unless he lives miles away for Octopus to change the meter?

New tenant has now moved in, I did have access before that. Void period was only a few days but the house isn't nearby either. I could arrange access with the new tenant but would prefer that they arrange replacement with Octopus and are able to book suitable time. I just don't want them (or me) to be on the hook for excess usage that would have been incurred by the previous tenant because we don't have an actual closing read.

Boohoo

Who are the new energy company that have taken over from the last one?

No idea how energy companies will sort this out as your last tenant couldn't of gave a gas meter reading to close the account and you can't give an opening to open an account and now the meter will have to be installed by the tenant new energy firm.

What is the gas meter model number as that may help someone on here who knows about this stuff to see if anything can be done to get a reading. Very long shot.

molerat

They will, using the industry / OFGEM procedure, estimate the read at tenant leaving / landlord assuming responsibility, estimate read at landlord hand over / new tenant take over and again at change of meter. There is little you can do and with only a couple of days it is likely hardly worth the effort for you to argue over what will likely be under £5. More of a problem for the new tenant though and it is their responsibility / in their interests to get the meter replaced. Has a meter replacement appointment been booked ?

Boohoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82170840#Comment_82170840

I haven't sent it mentioned but is there any signs that the meter was tampered with so the battery would die and someone could gain free gas?

I have no idea if that is possible but the old tenants could know if the meter is not recording any readings then they could use as much as they want because they will only be billed at industry procedures.

WiserMiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82169920#Comment_82169920

Here's the latest version.

https://smartenergycodecompany.co.uk/documents/sec-subsidiary-documents/sec-schedule-9-smart-metering-equipment-technical-specifications-2-2-nov-2023/

@Bendo

Haven't checked through recently, but I think you'll find it will operate the Shut Off Valve before the battery finally expires. No free gas.

jimjames

Has a meter replacement appointment been booked ?

Yes booked for next week.

Who are the new energy company that have taken over from the last one?

It's the same company Octopus, no new one involved just 3 sets of people - old tenant, me and new tenant.

What is the gas meter model number as that may help someone on here who knows about this stuff to see if anything can be done to get a reading.

Both the tenant and me have spoken to them, done video of the meter and sent to Octopus but nothing showing on the meter. It's a GWI smart gas meter, only fitted in 2022 so hardly had a long lifespan!

I'll update once the meter has been replaced.

I haven't sent it mentioned but is there any signs that the meter was tampered with so the battery would die and someone could gain free gas?

No sign at all of that but if the meter is meant to shut down then it wouldn't work to get free gas anyway. We'll just have to see what happens when meter is replaced but it's definitely not cut off the gas supply.

I did find this info on Fuse website which maybe is a flaw with SMETS2: https://www.fuseenergy.com/blog/gas-meter-screen-blank

However, a fully dead battery on an older SMETS1 (first-generation smart meter) gas meter can cause its internal safety valve to close, cutting off the gas supply. For newer SMETS2 gas meters, it is understood that a blank screen due to a dead battery does not typically cut off the gas supply, though it will stop sending readings.

Boohoo

@jimjames do you know if the last tenant ever paid for the gas used?

If the meter hasn't been giving read for at least 13 months what did the gas safe engineer say when the annual gas boiler service was done and they checked the meter at the same time.

That's if it was serviced but I thought as a landlord this was a legal requirement.

If the property doesn't have a boiler for heating then please disregard.