Shared fuse preventing meter replacement

This probably doesn’t help specifically but there was a recent study to look at the problems and suggest requirements for resolution 

Unlooping research

Reading through, perhaps you should apply for an EV charge point or ASHP to get the DNO to act 

​@fiji good morning and welcome to the OVO Forum.

Thanks for your post, and I’m really sorry to hear what’s happening - it sounds really frustrating 😫.

Firstly, I’d recommend raising a complaint with your current supplier, if you haven’t already. Send them an email detailing everything that’s gone wrong, and the alarm / stress caused by the contact from RP. Make sure to also include the information provided to you by the DNO. The complaint will have to be resolved somehow, and it really makes sense for the meter to be changed, and for the fuses to be unlooped if possible. The meter isn’t working as it should do, so needs to be replaced, but also the current set up could be a real issue if one of the meters goes off supply. If there are any vulnerabilities within your household (disabilities / illnesses / young children etc) make sure to let your supplier know when you raise the complaint.

If you’re not making any progress it might also be worth speaking to Citizens Advice about this. Hopefully you’ll also be able to get hold of your neighbour soon, as it sounds like the meter can be changed as long as they give permission for the power to be cut off. Please do keep us updated as to how you get on with this - I hope its fixed for you asap.

hey ​@fiji, 

Do you have any photos of the metering setup? Shared supplies are a bit of a nightmare and we have had issues but its not entirely lost! Ill be able to advise better if i could see a photo.

cheers

Hi ​@Lukepeniket_OVO  -- thanks for asking. It’s unfortunately hard to see from below and the main fuse box is high up. I hope this is somewhat informative for you regardless.

The first time I heard about ‘unlooping’ was during the first engineer’s visit. I wrote to the DNO again to ask if they have any plans that detail to which flats the cables run (we’re 4 in the block). This was 6 days ago, but I havn’t heard back yet.

​@Ben_OVO 
Thanks for you reply. I have been ‘not making (much) progress’ with that meter since letting the supplier know in June 2025. I have hence raised a formal complaint with my supplier at some point end of 2025, but ended up with the same advisor instead. As it was turning in circles or they ignored my questions, also about another issue, I have raised a case with the energy ombudsman (equally frustrating thus far -- they have currenlty advised to challenge the case as it has ‘factual errors’ -- they admitted they have not looked at some of the evidence I uploaded -- but nothing I want to waste more words and time over right now).

I’m interested to hear more about what you mentioned: ‘the current set up could be a real issue if one of the meters goes off supply.‘ -- anything I could pester the DNO with in the hopes they would act upon this?

​@fiji by that I mean that if your meter was faulty and went off supply, needing a replacement, then your supplier or DNO would need to change the meter, which is an issue with the shared circuit, as your neighbour would have to be taken off supply for the meter to be changed.

It’s good to see ​@Lukepeniket_OVO is having a look at this one for you - he’s our Metering specialist. Just to confirm, any advice given to you may differ from what your supplier tells you, if you’re not an OVO customer. I hope this is sorted for you soon - it sounds frustrating that it’s not had movement even with Ombudsman involvement, after all this time.

Hmm… Red key… If memory serves that usually indicates either British Gas or EDF...