Can I change the electricity meter

[stoneman56]

I rent a flat in a block of 8, all meters are on Economy 7. I have asked the landlord if I can change to a normal one as there is only 1 night storage heater in the flat, the rest are convection heaters. there is no advantage to me having Economy 7, and in fact it is costing me a fortune. He says that I am not allowed to change the meter. Is he allowed to insist on this?

[al090187]

I don't know about changing the meter, however, having an economy 7 meter does not mean you have to be on an economy 7 tariff. We have an economy 7 meter, but are on a normal tariff. They just add together your usage on both time periods, and charge you single rate.

[stoneman56]

I have tried that. Been to Scotish Power, Npower and EDF, none of them will allow it. Stupid really as you say, all they have to do is add the 2 units together.

Who are you with?

[al090187]

EDF. Weird.

 

When I said we are on a normal tariff, I mean we were. We moved in and rang them up, as they were the existing supplier, and they put us on a standard tariff. Maybe they didn't realise it was an economy 7 meter or something. After a couple of months we worked out it would be cheaper for us to use economy 7, so we now are on an economy 7 tariff.

[Snorkerz]

Your obligation is to return the flat in the same condition as you rent it. So if it has an economy 7 meter in when you leave, all will be fine. What you do in the mean time is up to you. Obviously, if you don't have the meter changed back, then you will be liable for the cost of getting it changed back.

[45002]

I don't know about changing the meter, however, having an economy 7 meter does not mean you have to be on an economy 7 tariff. We have an economy 7 meter, but are on a normal tariff. They just add together your usage on both time periods, and charge you single rate.

 

They do exactly the same with my E7 meter,they just add together your usage on both time periods, and charge you single rate.

 

But some utility suppliers,do like to change the E7 meter to single rate meter,especially if it's one of the older E7 meters with dials on it..

 

Going back to the OP question,the meter will be the property of the utility company or distributor depending where you live and are Not the property of LL.

 

So yes a T could get the meter changed as the account is between the T and utility suppliers,Not the LL,same as a T can change there utility suppliers and shop around for a cheaper supplier..

 

Your obligation is to return the flat in the same condition as you rent it. So if it has an economy 7 meter in when you leave, all will be fine. What you do in the mean time is up to you. Obviously, if you don't have the meter changed back, then you will be liable for the cost of getting it changed back.

 

Does Not apply to Gas or Electric meters..

 

If a LL wants to change the meter back at the end of a tenancy,that's the LL problem and not the T.

Edited September 1, 2011 by 45002

[Snorkerz]

Does Not apply to Gas or Electric meters..

 

If a LL wants to change the meter back at the end of a tenancy,that's the LL problem and not the T.

That is your opinion - on what do you base it?

[45002]

That is your opinion - on what do you base it?

 

The meters are clearly not the property of the landlord and account is between the Tenant and utility supplier,not the LL..

 

The OFT ruled sometime ago it is unfair to put in a tenancy agreement, terms like stopping a tenant asking the utility supplier for a meter to be changed or changing utility supplier and a LL cannot charge or force a tenant to change a meter back to want ever was there at the start.

Edited September 1, 2011 by 45002

[Snorkerz]

The meter does not belong to the supply company either....

 

but I can see the logic in your argument.

[45002]

The meter does not belong to the supply company either....

 

but I can see the logic in your argument.

 

Thats the problem with privatisation of Gas and Electric all them years ago,the electric or gas meter are either owned by the utilities supplier or distributor of electric or gas,depending where you live.

 

Privatisation of Gas and Electric guaranteed that a home owner or tenant can shop around for the cheapest deals (subject to status) and if necessary if its a rented home the meter can be changed without the permission of a LL.

 

I can fully understand why a LL would not want to let a flat,lets say with a pre payment meter installed for a previous tenants, it may put a new tenants off and i can understand why a LL should not have to pay to have a meter changed.

 

But most of the time a new tenant can get the meter changed for free (subject to status) if there was a pre payment meter installed for a previous tenant.

 

Even some LL now are becoming a utilities supplier under Privatisation..

 

Privatisation of gas and electric was a mess and still is...

Edited September 2, 2011 by 45002

[Snorkerz]

Even some LL now are becoming a utilities supplier under Privatisation...

Deffo disagree with that - well they can become a supplier (re-seller) but they can't re-sell at more than they paid. It's the law you know

[45002]

Deffo disagree with that - well they can become a supplier (re-seller) but they can't re-sell at more than they paid. It's the law you know

 

Are you talking about re sale of electric/gas via a coin meter,in which case your right,they cannot charge more than they paid for gas/electric..

 

I know some LL are becoming a utilities supplier via companies like utility warehouse !

[hightail]

EON will do normal tariffs on an economy 7 meter. I don't know how they are generally as a company but I do know they are one who will do the adding together and charge accordingly thing.

[stu007]

Hi all

 

hope this link is of some use its the Association of Meter Operators FAQ

 

http://www.meteroperators.org.uk/faqs.php

[rickd]

A landlord cannot force you to pay by prepay or bill. It is down to the tenant. Landlord permission is always beneficial. Companies do charge for meter exchanges in some situations