electric meters

[heapie]

Not sure if this question is in the right forum, but here goes.....I live on a park home site and my electricity supplier is the site owner. I have asked that my electric meter be replaced as it is obvious from talking to other residents on the site that the meter is inaccurate. I have asked him to replace the meter which he readily agreed to do, however he claims that I must pay for a new meter and for the cost of its fitting.....is he correct?

 

[breezer]

its his site, he is the supplier to you, so he can charge what he likes

 

[SparkyMarky]

It's a long shot, but you could try and force him to have the meter replaced by referring to the Weights and Measures legislation. I'm not too sure of the specifics, but I think that if he is charging you for something based on a measurement he has to be able to prove (to trading standards I think) that the measurements are correct. In this case I'd probably expect him to have a calibration certificate for the meter. I've only had brief dealings with the W&M legislation myself so I don't know whether it would help out at all, or even whether it would be applicable to electricity re-billing. Probably also depends on what your contract with him states....

 

[JohnD]

As I recall, there are laws restricting landlords on what they can charge their tenants for electricity (there was a time when some of them used to charge vastly inflated prices to people in bedsits).

So I would have thought he was obliged to charge you the permitted amount only; which must mean he is obliged to have an accurate meter.

So if he does not have an accurate meter, he is the one who is not complying with his obligations, and it must be his responsibility to put it right. I think he is trying it on.

Good idea about the weights-and-measures. Also try CAB.

 

[heapie]

Thanks for your replies but maybe its my fault that I have misled you a bit! Although the site is not owned by me, my home is totally owned by me and the site owner is the provider of the electricity to my home. As such I would have thought that he would be responsible for the meter and all the supply to the homes. I would have considered that my responsibility would be everything after the meter???

 

[breezer]

didn't read mis leading to me.

 

[waterandsparks]

didn't read mis leading to me.

Alright. The answer to your problem is a legal one, the supplier of your meter,
whether its a electricity supplier or landlord is forced to comply to OfGEM. The Office of Gas and Electric Meters, this body clearly states that a landlord must provide an accurate meter and the cost of electricity, to you, is what they pay for it plus an additional administrative cost. The admin cost must be clearly broken down and itemised for scrutiny.
The cost to install a meter and any other equipment is solely borne to the supplier or landlord and cannot be passed to the user.
Hope this helps.

 

[Job_n_knock]

Seconded.....The LEB ( new name now escapes me ) were fined 1 Million pounds for inaccurate metering in London and are now putting in new digital meters. Sparky Marky was also correct as he basically saying the same thing. Tell this guy what youve read here...or print it off and show him. Good luck.

 

[heapie]

I have spoken to my supplier once again and he is quite happy to let things stand as they are...in other words its me thats got the problem not him. As far as he is concerned the meter is working as normal so if I wish to query the calibrations he will simply replace the meter with a new one and charge me for the cost of the meter plus the fitting.
Therefore if he is not prepared to do anything about it who can I contact to enforce him to have the meter checked. If I pay for the new meter it will benefit me in the long term as my bills will reduce so really I am at his mercy...or am I.

By the way I have checked the OFGEM website which apparently stands for Office of Gas and Electricty Markets and they only oversee fuel pricings etc. but dont seem to cover meters???

 

[Job_n_knock]

Try http://www.energywatch.org.uk/

 

[heapie]

Thanks for that website...I'll have a go with that site and see if that makes sense?

 

[baldelectrician]

You could go down another route

get a second meter fitted (inside your property)
cost of meter < £50 and fitting same or less.

then you have 2 meters - one his and one yours (a check meter)

you have another option - he has to prove accuracy of meter- so ask him to provide a calibration certificate for the meter. The local LEC's get round this by changing them every 10 years or so and calibrating them before sending them out.

 

[JohnD]

I think it sounds like an awkward landlord not wanting to fulfil his responsibilities.

 

[plugwash]

you have another option - he has to prove accuracy of meter- so ask him to provide a calibration certificate for the meter. The local LEC's get round this by changing them every 10 years or so and calibrating them before sending them out.

maybe some of them did but our meter (we're in bramhall stockport btw) is a lot older than that (its marked faranti and has a rating on the front of 40A which gets exceeded every time we use the shower!) and i don't think its ever had a calibration check done (at least not in the time we have lived here)