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DavidHughN
Rank 1
April 20, 2021
Solved

Installing a new landlord's supply for communal areas in a small block of leasehold flats - who to contact?

  • April 20, 2021
  • 17 replies
  • 5258 views

We have acquired the freehold of a property with  6 leaseholders. There is no separate  electricity supply for the communal areas.  Instead the supply for communal  lighting, sockets emergency lighting, smoke alarms etc.   is all taken from and paid for by  one or other of the leasehold properties.   So we want to rewire the property  installing an extra meter in the switch room  through which  all the power for the communal areas will be taken. The total electricity consumption  for the property should not change and on that basis we have been told the existing  3 phase supply to the property  will be adequate for the purpose.  

How should we proceed?

Best answer by Transparent

Updated on 13/08/26 by Abby_OVO
 

In order to create a new electricity supply and install a new meter both the new electricity supplier and your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) would need to arrange a visit on the same day. The DNO would install a new main fuse, and the supplier would fit the new electricity meter. The supplier would also do the administrative work required, such as creating and registering the meter point reference number (MPAN) on the database.

 

OVO Energy can now take on new connections. Some details of what to do are below:

 

Is a new connection needed?

 

If you have a supply number already (MPAN for electricity, MPAN for gas) and a meter attached, you already have a new connection and you can switch via the normal way online (when available).
 

Are you a domestic customer?

  • Are you a domestic customer who will be living at the property
    • If no: we can only offer a new connection to domestic customers who'll be living at the property. 
    • If yes: continue to the next section below

 

Request a new connection

  1. We’ll need to have a check that you have the supporting infrastructure in place (as we'll only be joining the meter to the connections):
    • Electricity: cabling from the mains should already be on site
    • Gas: pipework from the gas main in the street should be on site
  2. If the main connections are available, our Support team can request a new connection from our operations team.

 

What you should know

  • We'll complete a few checks and confirm the date for an engineer visit
    • Please look out for this and contact us if the date isn't suitable
  • If we arrive and can't complete the new connection, we'll let you know why and next steps needed to resolve the issue
  • We'll install smart meters by default, and they'll be in pay monthly (credit/PAYM) setting
  • If you want a prepayment (PAYG) meter, we'll:
    • Install as pay monthly first
    • Check the meters are working correctly (so we don't leave you without supply)
    • Switch them to a PAYG tariff and account
    • Add any debt accrued in the PAYM setting, set at a repayment rate aligned with our current processes

 

17 replies

Show previous replies
L
Newcomer
lm-property
Newcomer
January 15, 2026

Hi, I have recently purchased a mixed-use property in Southampton comprising a commercial shop on the ground floor and a self-contained residential flat on the first floor.

Historically, the shop and flat had separate electricity supplies/meters, however the previous owner disconnected the flat meter and combined the flat supply into the shop meter. I now need to reinstate a separate supply for the flat so it can be let independently.

All wiring is still in place and the local DNO (SSEN) has confirmed there is a pre-existing MPAN for the flat which is currently showing as de-energised on the national database. SSEN have advised that this MPAN can be re-used and that I should contact OVO Energy (as OVO are currently listed against that MPAN) to arrange:

  • re-energisation of the supply

  • installation of a new meter

However, I am struggling to find the correct OVO contact details or the right department to deal with this type of request.

For information, my company will be the landlord for the premises.

Could anyone advise the best way to contact OVO for this, or the correct process to follow?

Thank you.

Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper User
Super User
January 15, 2026

This is lifted from a reply to a similar enquiry a year ago:

 

 

Is a new connection needed?

 

If you have a supply number already (MPAN for electricity, MPRN for gas) and a meter attached, you already have a new connection and you can switch via the normal way online (when available).
 

Are you a domestic customer?

  • Are you a domestic customer who will be living at the property
    • If no: we can only offer a new connection to domestic customers who'll be living at the property. 
    • If yes: continue to the next section below

 

Request a new connection

  1. We’ll need to have a check that you have the supporting infrastructure in place (as we'll only be joining the meter to the connections):
    • Electricity: cabling from the mains should already be on site
    • Gas: pipework from the gas main in the street should be on site
  2. If the main connections are available, our Support team can request a new connection from our operations team.

 

What you should know

  • We'll complete a few checks and confirm the date for an engineer visit
    • Please look out for this and contact us if the date isn't suitable
  • If we arrive and can't complete the new connection, we'll let you know why and next steps needed to resolve the issue
  • We'll install smart meters by default, and they'll be in pay monthly (credit/PAYM) setting
  • If you want a prepayment (PAYG) meter, we'll:
    • Install as pay monthly first
    • Check the meters are working correctly (this is so we don't leave you without supply at any time during the settling period)
    • Switch them to a PAYG tariff and account
    • Add any debt accrued in the PAYM setting, set at a repayment rate aligned with our current processes

       

I’m not sure you meet the first eligibility criterion; OVO don’t supply business customers, but landlords of residential properties must be able to request connections. 

Let us know how you get on. 

 

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    January 16, 2026

    Just to confirm…

    IIRC OVO does allow a business to have an account under one condition - you’re running a temporary Landlord Account to manage the supply between tenancies (Void Periods). OVO does this all the time for both private landlords and large housing associations so you should be good. For this purpose, preparing a property to be rented out for the first time also counts - you just need to be able to show OVO evidence of it being a rental property if requested.

    As long as you’re OK with letting the tenant take control of the supply when they move in - which is highly recommended - then this is definitely possible.

    Could you show us the current setup by any chance? We can help make sure you’re in the right position to get OVO to reinstall a meter.

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    L
    Newcomer
    lm-property
    Newcomer
    January 16, 2026

    Thanks for the prompt response, that is very helpful.

    To confirm, my company LM Property Management Limited will be the landlord for the property and we will be managing the supply during void periods (and whilst preparing the flat to be rented for the first time). We fully intend for the tenant to take over the electricity account once they move in, which I agree is the best approach.

    In terms of the history, there was a pre-existing separate meter and supply for the flat. However, the previous owner/leaseholder lived in the flat upstairs and operated the business downstairs, and at some point they had the flat meter removed and the flat supply combined onto the shop meter.

    All the wiring for the flat supply is still in place and this has been confirmed by SSEN. SSEN have also provided the existing MPAN for the flat (currently showing as de-energised), and advised that this MPAN can be re-used.

    Therefore, I now just need OVO to arrange re-energisation and re-installation of a new meter for the flat supply (and update the address details if required).

    Thank you again for your guidance.

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    January 16, 2026

    Thanks! Helps a TON!

    You’re actually in luck - since there’s already a Three-Phase Main Fuse in place that seems to have two spare phases AND you’ve got a de-energised MPAN that can be re-energised, you’ve just saved several thousand pounds in costs since you won’t need to have SSEN dig up half the street - they can just use the existing spare slots on the Main Fuse.

    You’ll probably still need to get an electrician to resolve wiring etc as this looks like a cowboy setup to me - the last owner seems to have rigged this up in a weird way.

    As for OVO? Try OVO Support as they can get a request over to the right team. You can get the details via the thread below.

    If you get stuck, let us know!

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      January 17, 2026

      Forgot to mention…

      If there are two spare phases on that Main Fuse and the flat only needs one, then the other will remain available for whatever you want to use it for, such as:

      • Dedicated EV Charger
      • Giant 60A fridge
      • Massive Heat Pump
      • Landlord Supply
      • A future second flat
      • Basically anything else that demands a dedicated 60+ Amps to itself

      For now, I’d suggest leaving the third phase available - you can always make use of it later but you won’t be charged anything if it’s left inactive - there’ll be no MPAN on it which means zero Standing Charges.

      Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      Ben_OVO
      Community Manager
      Ben_OVO
      Community Manager
      January 19, 2026

      Hi there ​@lm-property and welcome to the OVO Forum 🖐.

       

      Thanks ​@Firedog and ​@Blastoise186 for your great help with this one. ​@lm-property when you contact our Support Team they’ll fill out a form which will be sent to our New Connections team. An account will be set up in our systems within two working days, and we’ll contact you to book a meter installation appointment within 15 to 25 working days. The confirmation of the exact appointment date will be sent to you within five working days of the advisor sending off the form. If the date doesn’t suit you it can be changed.

       

      If we arrive and can't complete the new connection, we'll let you know why, and the next steps needed to resolve the issue. We'll install a smart meter by default, and it'll be in pay monthly mode. If you want a prepayment (PAYG) we’ll:

       

      • Install as pay monthly first
      • Check the meters are working correctly (so we don't leave you without supply)
      • Switch you to a PAYG tariff and account

       

      Let us know how you get on when you speak to Support - we’re here to answer any further questions you have - cheers.

       

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      OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd