Do we have to instal another meter

[Camelia]

I live in a flat in a building which is divided into 4 flats. I own 25% of the freehold the other 3 flats are rented out by other owners. The communal electricity comes off a prepayment meter belonging to another flat and has been like this for 8 years or so. Their supplier is refusing to mend their meter and the owner is wanting us all to pay £4,500 minimum to have a separate meter fitted and all of our meters moved. Do we have to do this? If it was an ordinary meter would this be the case? The CAB said it was a commercial decision but couldn’t help me with the regulations. Could any of you advise please? Thanks for any help

 

[davesparks]

Thank you. The supplier is not charging for electricity at the moment which is very odd but then again they are refusing to mend it. I will take your advice about finding out their original reason for not mending it. We each own 25% of the freehold. All of the meters are in one cupboard in the hall.

What needs mending?

 

[Vortigern]

So no pictures and no info on lease then? Nvm, next!

 

[DPG]

So no pictures and no info on lease then? Nvm, next!

Hard work this one.

 

[Camelia]

So no pictures and no info on lease then? Nvm, next!

Hi not relevant all I really need to know is : Essentially is it no longer allowed to run communal electricity off a prepayment meter?

Can communal electricity be run off a normal billed meter?

I thought more information would help but most people misread my post . Not too complicated but not even the CAB seem to know

 

[Vortigern]

I must say the questions asked are very relevant. However if your view is that they are not I bow to your outlook on the matter. We will agree to disagree.

 

[plugsandsparks]

Of course it can.... Anyway have a chew on this it might shed some light to this broken / wont mend meter mystery.

https://www.energy-uk.org.uk/files/docs/GuidanceforElectricityandGasMeterInstallationCustomerFacingIssues.pdf

 

[snowhead]

Can communal electricity be run off a normal billed meter?

Yes it can be and as far as the Energy supplier and or the meter fixer is concerned there's no reason why it can't be off a Prepayment Meter either.

It's not for them to make a judgement on what the energy is used for, providing it's not obviously illegal.
Their only concern, as indicated in the Meter fixers guidance above is the whether the electrical installation is safe for the meter fixer to work on and that there are no obvious defects before and no risk of leaving any after the meter has been changed.

If the issue is the meter type then there's no reason to move any meters and no reason to have to pay anything to change from Prepayment to a Credit meter.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I live in a flat in a building which is divided into 4 flats. I own 25% of the freehold the other 3 flats are rented out by other owners. The communal electricity comes off a prepayment meter belonging to another flat and has been like this for 8 years or so. Their supplier is refusing to mend their meter and the owner is wanting us all to pay £4,500 minimum to have a separate meter fitted and all of our meters moved. Do we have to do this? If it was an ordinary meter would this be the case? The CAB said it was a commercial decision but couldn’t help me with the regulations. Could any of you advise please? Thanks for any help

I would recommend getting an electrician round to have a look and discussion. Have read the entire thread twice and am still not clear as to what is going on and what needs doing.

I recently installed a meter and lighting that will run off a tenants supply but will be paid for by the landlord.
Without actually seeing what's there and clearly understanding the issues then it is impossible to ascertain what can be done..

If the situation is what I think it is then I will sort it out for £3000 !! But don't get the hump if I am finished by lunchtime !! Insert laughing emoji !!