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BrightEyes161
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June 20, 2023
Solved

Consumer unit blocking cut-out

  • June 20, 2023
  • 16 replies
  • 734 views

Trying to move from prepay to direct debit credit-smartmeter system. Engineer said "consumer unit blocking cut-out access so can't install until sorted". Need landlord permission to get electrician. What is the issue here that we should describe to the landlord? Unless we get someone from electricity provider to come out again, I don't feel we have enough info to ask for an electrician to come. Do they need us to get the consumer unit moved, or the cut-out moved, or the wood moved, and permenantly or temporarily take off? Any idea? Thanks.

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 12/12/25 by Chris_OVO

 

Ok, I just had a phone call with SSEN and got a really good agent who managed to figure out how your setup works without seeing photos. Impressive!

 

SSEN agrees with your supplier - the consumer unit should ideally be moved out of the way. This is different from what WPD said, but since they all have different rules, you’ll get different results.

 

She thinks the best option to fix this whole thing would be for SSEN to kill your entire supply at a transformer/sub-station for a few hours to enable the following to be done:

  1. Fit an isolator switch (optional but worth considering)
  2. Allow the consumer unit to be moved safely
  3. Unlock the ability to get a Smart Meter upgrade
  4. Make future maintenance much easier and safer on just about any of the equipment
  5. Potentially allow a meter swap at the same time, since the supply would be dead anyway

 

SSEN would be willing to stop by for free to take a look and recommend specific solutions and all telephone advice is of course completely free too, but doing any of the above would incur costs that your landlord would probably need to pay. If you give them a call on 0800 048 3516 they can provide more details - the General Enquiries option is fine for this.

 

SSEN would also be happy to fix the tamper seals for free. If you give them a call, they can arrange that.

 

Mind you, even if SSEN were to just kill the supply for a few hours via the sub-station to enable a safe Smart Meter Upgrade install, that would definitely make the supply be in a safe state to swap the meter over. A bit of a hacky overpowered workaround, but definitely safe for the meter engineer.

 

I don’t see why you should have to pay if you didn’t set things up this way - this often comes under what the landlord should be doing. And besides, if you moved out you’d no longer benefit from it either.

 This sort of issue must be reported to your DNO. You can find more info in this handy guide:

 

16 replies

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Rank 2
BrightEyes161Author
Rank 2
June 22, 2023

If I may contribute my 2p worth... It looks like a wooden box has been built around the consumer unit. Could you dismantle the box so the engineer can access the fuse/cut out? It's probably best to ask your landlord for permission but I reckon you could easily remove the bottom panel.

 

Interesting thanks. As far as I remember, the engineer said that both the consumer unit and wooden panel were blocking access to the cut out but I'm not certain. Maybe it's worth getting them to come again but it feels like wasting their time so I haven't yet.

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super UserSolved
Super User
June 22, 2023

Updated on 12/12/25 by Chris_OVO

 

Ok, I just had a phone call with SSEN and got a really good agent who managed to figure out how your setup works without seeing photos. Impressive!

 

SSEN agrees with your supplier - the consumer unit should ideally be moved out of the way. This is different from what WPD said, but since they all have different rules, you’ll get different results.

 

She thinks the best option to fix this whole thing would be for SSEN to kill your entire supply at a transformer/sub-station for a few hours to enable the following to be done:

  1. Fit an isolator switch (optional but worth considering)
  2. Allow the consumer unit to be moved safely
  3. Unlock the ability to get a Smart Meter upgrade
  4. Make future maintenance much easier and safer on just about any of the equipment
  5. Potentially allow a meter swap at the same time, since the supply would be dead anyway

 

SSEN would be willing to stop by for free to take a look and recommend specific solutions and all telephone advice is of course completely free too, but doing any of the above would incur costs that your landlord would probably need to pay. If you give them a call on 0800 048 3516 they can provide more details - the General Enquiries option is fine for this.

 

SSEN would also be happy to fix the tamper seals for free. If you give them a call, they can arrange that.

 

Mind you, even if SSEN were to just kill the supply for a few hours via the sub-station to enable a safe Smart Meter Upgrade install, that would definitely make the supply be in a safe state to swap the meter over. A bit of a hacky overpowered workaround, but definitely safe for the meter engineer.

 

I don’t see why you should have to pay if you didn’t set things up this way - this often comes under what the landlord should be doing. And besides, if you moved out you’d no longer benefit from it either.

 This sort of issue must be reported to your DNO. You can find more info in this handy guide:

 

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
    June 22, 2023

    Another update. SSEN has uncovered some more advice for you that they’ve asked me to post here. They’ve also given me an email address you can use. They don’t want it to be posted publicly on the forum but are OK with me sharing it with you, so I’ll send that to you privately in a second.

    SSEN also thinks your landlord is potentially breaching EICR by having the main fuse blocked by that consumer unit. There’s more info about that at https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/periodic-inspection-explained/guide-to-condition-reports/ . This would almost certainly mean your landlord needs to fix this at their cost. SSEN requires that their equipment is always accessible without obstructions, so the consumer unit will need to be moved.

    They’ve also suggested that the wooden box around the main fuse would probably have to come down as well.

    You may also find https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/guide-for-landlords-electrical-safety-standards-in-the-private-rented-sector useful.

    Failure to comply with these rules may result in the landlord being hit with a £30,000 fine on top of being forced to pay for remedial works. You as the tenant would not be liable to pay anything. Have a word with the local council if your landlord still refuses to budge as they can enforce this. If the council ends up being forced to do the remedial work themselves, they will seek to recover all costs from your landlord in full.

    I’m also a bit concerned that this setup as it stands is potentially dangerous so I’d definitely recommend you or your landlord get this checked out sooner rather than later.

    The good news is that a Smart Meter could also be installed while the power is still off, if your supplier is up for doing that at the same time it would reduce disruption.

    If you send SSEN an email with things like photos of the setup, your address and a link to this thread, they can advise further.

    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!
      Tim_OVO
      OVO Staff
      Tim_OVO
      OVO Forum Legend
      June 23, 2023

      It’s definitively worth giving SSEN a call directly then, @BrightEyes161, I’d recommend you do that first so any advice to your landlord has come from SSEN directly and not from here. 

       

      Keep us updated! 

      Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
        B
        Rank 2
        BrightEyes161Author
        Rank 2
        June 24, 2023

        Thanks so much. I'm going to come back when I have updates.

          Blastoise186
          Super User
          Blastoise186Super User
          Super User
          June 24, 2023

          No worries! We’ll be around if you need us for anything. :)

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