Hi, I've just moved into a new property and I have a £1 meter. This runs off a timer. I was wondering if anyone else has one of these? If so what is yours set at? I don't have access to change it, so very so often someone comes out and collects the money. I think that mine is set too high as on average I get 1 hour and 19 minutes per £1. If I used it on a 24/7 basis it would cost me just over £500 a month. I believe this to be too much. Any advice would be great. Thanks.
Answer
I've just moved into a new property and I have a £1 meter, it runs off a timer- I was wondering if anyone else has one of these?
Best answer by Nukecad
That sounds like a landlords own submetering.
With that arrangement the landlord buys the gas/electricity from the supply company, and then “resells” it to the tenant. (See below about pricing).
The property has a main meter, which is what the supply company uses to bill the landlord, and then the supply is split between multiple flats with each having their own sub-meter to record what each flat uses, so that the landlord can charge each tenant according to what they have used.
Coin sub-meters do still exist, as do ‘token’ meters where you buy tokens from the landlord to put in the meter.
However most now use a card that you top up with whichever metering company the landlord has chosen to do the submetering.
For one thing card meters don’t need someone to keep coming out to empty the meters.
(For another it’s easier for an unscrupulous landlord to overcharge tenants with coin or token meters).
There are a few landlord metering companies out there, here’s just two from a quick Google:
https://metroprepaid.co.uk/
https://landlordmetering.com/
You (and your landlord) should note that It is unlawful for any landlord to charge their tenant more for electricity or gas then it costs the landlord to get from the supplier.
From Ofgem:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2005/10/11782-resaleu
As to whether your £1 for an hour and 19 mins is correct or not is going to depend on just what electricity you used during that time.
If you have electric hrating or heaters, electric shower, electric cooking, etc. then it may be correct depending on what was turned on.
A very rough calculation:
Standard variable rate for electricity, including VAT, is around £0.26 /kWh depending on where you live.
(With a tenents sub-meter it can be set slightly higher to cover the landlords Standing Charge, how much higher will depend on how many sub meters are on the main meter).
So using just under 4kW of appliances for one hour would cost £1
Or about 3 kW of appliences used for 79 mins would also cost £1
- Plan Zero Hero
- Answer
That sounds like a landlords own submetering.
With that arrangement the landlord buys the gas/electricity from the supply company, and then “resells” it to the tenant. (See below about pricing).
The property has a main meter, which is what the supply company uses to bill the landlord, and then the supply is split between multiple flats with each having their own sub-meter to record what each flat uses, so that the landlord can charge each tenant according to what they have used.
Coin sub-meters do still exist, as do ‘token’ meters where you buy tokens from the landlord to put in the meter.
However most now use a card that you top up with whichever metering company the landlord has chosen to do the submetering.
For one thing card meters don’t need someone to keep coming out to empty the meters.
(For another it’s easier for an unscrupulous landlord to overcharge tenants with coin or token meters).
There are a few landlord metering companies out there, here’s just two from a quick Google:
https://metroprepaid.co.uk/
https://landlordmetering.com/
You (and your landlord) should note that It is unlawful for any landlord to charge their tenant more for electricity or gas then it costs the landlord to get from the supplier.
From Ofgem:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2005/10/11782-resaleu
As to whether your £1 for an hour and 19 mins is correct or not is going to depend on just what electricity you used during that time.
If you have electric hrating or heaters, electric shower, electric cooking, etc. then it may be correct depending on what was turned on.
A very rough calculation:
Standard variable rate for electricity, including VAT, is around £0.26 /kWh depending on where you live.
(With a tenents sub-meter it can be set slightly higher to cover the landlords Standing Charge, how much higher will depend on how many sub meters are on the main meter).
So using just under 4kW of appliances for one hour would cost £1
Or about 3 kW of appliences used for 79 mins would also cost £1
I said, Hey - Watts going on.
Hey
Welcome to the community!
Have you seen the responses on the thread yet?
Hi thanks for all your advice. It's been sorted. It was set too high apparently and it should cost £1 per day. So it's getting adjusted tomorrow.
Thanks again.
Maddy
Thanks for the update
Renewable energy jokes never get old.
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