Landlord's Meter Information
What if a landlord has a service query on their meter?
Metro Prepaid’s help desk is available 24 hours a day to assist landlords with their meter queries on 020 3020 1144
What if a landlord needs technical support on their meter?
Metro Prepaid’s help desk is available 24 hours a day to offer technical support to landlords with on 020 3020 1144
What is the difference between the landlord meter and an electric sub meter?
A landlord’s electric meter from the electricity company records the total utility consumption of the whole property. In multi-let properties, the sub meter only records a portion of the consumption for a specific area i.e. room, apartment, flat etc.
Submetering involves the installation of Metro Prepaid electric sub meters that can measure energy usage after it passes through the landlord meter. Submetering offers the ability to monitor energy usage for individual tenants to account for their actual energy usage. The sub meter relies on the main supply landlord meter for electricity, if the main supply is disconnected or out of credit, the sub meter will not work.
What are the advantages of an electric sub meter for landlords?
- Easy control of bills
- Reduced administration and risk
- Cheaper meters and faster installation
- Option to set your tariff so that tenants pay the Metro Prepaid 10% (Metro Code value) service fee
- Improved cash flow, the cost of electricity used through the meter paid back to owner reducing property expenses and increasing the properties value.
- Consumption reporting available
- Metro Prepaid sub meters do not replace the landlord’s meter but make the energy distribution convenient in your property.
Can my tenants tamper with this sub meter?
The sub meter has been designed to be resistant to tampering but tenants may devise ways to by-pass the submeter.
Landlords should manage their risk by monitoring usage against amounts collected and conduct site inspections where required.
Note on tampering in general:
- tampering typically involves the bridging of the live-in and live out wires
- All meters (including older-style card & kWh credit meters) are potentially vulnerable to this practice
- the incidence of tampering is generally low
- Landlords should mitigate temper risk by active monitoring
Can landlords set their own tariff for the meter?
The landlord must set the tariff to reflect what he pays to the energy provider on the property. To make Metro Code purchases efficient landlords average any standing charges from their supplier into the tariff - this makes it easier for tenants to manage and budget.
The Electricity Act of 1989 and amendments and other legislation is enforced by the regulator (EEMA) via OFGEM state that No one should charge more for electricity than regulations allow.
Metro Prepaid recommends that Landlords of residential properties charge their tenants only the tariff charged to them by the Energy Provider and cover the cost of service fees in the rent.
Landlords who are unsure of their position under the regulations should request independent legal advice.
Can landlords block their tenant’s sub meter?
Metro Prepaid will only block meters that are connected illegally e.g. by-passing the Energy Company meter.
What assurance is there that the owner will get their money?
Metro Prepaid is a leading prepaid service provider and has built a reputation for integrity and reliability. Metro Prepaid pays the landlord during the 1st week of every month (for the preceding month's collection) as agreed in the Terms of Service.
Does Metro Prepaid pay my account with the energy company?
Metro Prepaid does not pay the energy company bill. We only collect the payments from the tenants for their usage and pay this money to the landlord so that they pay their account with the energy company.
What happens to the sub meter if I sell my property?
As fixture the sub meter will transfer to the new landlord unless the parties agree otherwise. The new landlord must contact our helpdesk on 020 3020 1144 immediately after transfer to arrange the transfer of the prepaid sub-meter to their name and provide new banking information.
What is the Service Fee?
The Service fee includes an Admin Fee (payable to Metro Prepaid this includes payment gateway fees for debit/ credit card and bank transfer), where applicable a Merchant Fee (for cash-in-store and PayPal top-ups) and VAT.
What is an administration fee and who pays for it?
The Administration Fee is Metro Prepaid’s fee, for the service of collecting electricity payments from tenants on behalf of landlords.
It is often paid by the landlord, but may also be paid by the Tenant where the landlord/ tenant have agreed.
What does the Administration Fee cover?
Metro prepaid services and costs including the generating of Metro Codes, bank charges, administration, debit/ credit card payment gateway fees and provision of a 24/7 Help Desk.
Who pays the administration fee?
Depending on the landlord’s instructions, the fee can either be deducted from the amount recovered for the landlord or it can be deducted from the Metro Code purchased by the tenant.
Please read the terms and conditions, for more information on relevant regulation.
What is a merchant fee?
This is a collection service fee, when you buy Metro Codes in stores.
What should I do if my Metro Prepaid sub meter is stolen?
If your Metro Prepaid sub meter is stolen please report the theft to the police and inform our Help Desk of the meter number so that we can block the meter.
The stolen sub meter will not be able to be used, while blocked.
My tenant has moved out and I paid him back for the credit on his sub-meter. Can I zero the credit on the sub meter before the new tenant moves in?
Yes, please contact the Metro Prepaid Help Desk and ask to zero the credit quoting your meter number.
What do I need to do if I want to install a Metro Prepaid sub meter?
A Landlord can install a sub meter on their private property without any approval, the sub meter must be installed correctly according to local regulations.
The landlord's electrician will be able to install the sub meter without running new cables to the property and using much of the current electric infrastructure. If the landlord’s property already has each section on it’s own electric circuit then installation of the sub meters is quite simple.
Ask a trusted local electrician to install the sub meter for you, sub meters are available from electricity wholesalers across the UK. Call us on 020 3120 1144 for registration and to activate the meter.
How do I explain Metro Prepaid to my tenants?
Metro Prepaid means your tenant can control and measure their own electricity consumption simply. They can pay online or with a card on Metroprepaid.co.uk or with cash at any Paypoint store.Direct your tenants to the Metro Prepaid About Us page and the Tenant FAQs
What is the warranty for the landlord on the sub meters?
There is a one-year warranty for the landlord on the sub meter which starts on the date of first registration with the Metro Prepaid Help Desk. Removing factory seals to open the meter and access its inner workings render the warranty invalid. The seals on the clear plastic terminal cover may be removed and replaced by an electrician authorised by the property owner when fitting or checking a sub meter.
Where are Metro Prepaid's offices?
Metro Prepaid’s office, is located in Tims Boat Yard on the river Thames, in London.
Why does the amount I receive as the landlord from Metro Prepaid differ from the amount on my municipal bill?
There are a number of reasons why the energy bill may differ from the amount collected:
- The wrong tariff may have been set on our system - this is easily amended
- Metro Prepaid collects on a pre-paid basis but energy companies bill on a post-paid basis, if for example, tenants have purchased more credit than they used in a particular month then the amount received from Metro Prepaid will be larger than the energy bill
- A tenant may have by-passed or partially by-passed a meter allowing electricity to be used without payment. Ask about our MET004 split meter which provides additional tamper protection
I have requested that the "Service Fee" (aggregate of admin, bank & merchant fees) be charged to the tenant during registration, however I'm seeing the service fees are stated in my monthly report. Does this mean I am being charged for the service fee?
No, the service fees are included in your monthly report so that you have details concerning transactions & usage of your meters in full. At the point of purchase, the service fee is deducted first and the remaining amount is used to purchase credit. We pay the value of prepaid credit purchased to the landlord.
What happens if I'm under recovering or not happy with the tariff that my meter is set to?
If you are under recovering then it may be a tariff issue and it is best to send us your bill that you receive from the energy company so we can check and if necessary update the tariff accordingly.
Do landlords have to agree to Metro Prepaid's terms and conditions of contract?
Yes, by completing a registration form landlords enter into a contract with Metro Prepaid.
How, as a landlord, do I know Metro Prepaid is legit and won't run away with my money or go bankrupt and not payout?
Metro Prepaid Limited is a registered legal entity, established in 2017 and based in Staines-Upon-Thames. Metro Prepaid files annual returns at Companies House and is under the control of British Directors.
Collections are held in a FCA regulated Barclays Bank UK PLC account and paid to Landlords on the first of each month.
Am I able to log into a portal and see my tenants' purchases?
Metro Prepaid is working to provide this, but right now we do provide monthly statements which show a breakdown of each tenants purchases.
What happens if my tenant purchases their own sub meter? Where does the money go to?
Remember that the sub meter will still be drawing power from your main supply, so as owner you still need to register and provide your banking details.
Does my main box always have to have electricity?
Yes, always - that’s the only way for sub meters to work since they get power from main supply.
Am I eligible for EBSS assistance?
The government will give every household £400 off their electricity bill to be paid in 6 instalments starting from October 2022. Households who have a direct relationship with an energy company will get £66 in October and November and £67 in December, January, February and March This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
If you live in an HMO, your landlord may be reselling the electricity to you based on your usage, in which case:
They must comply with the maximum resale price rules which say they must not make a profit. If they receive support under the Energy Bills Support Scheme, they may be able to reduce the tariff you pay.
The maximum resale price for electricity is currently set at the same price as that paid by the person reselling it (see Ofgem’s guidance on ensuring customers are being charged no more than they should)
Households seeking more information on EBSS or on wider Help For Households support schemes should visit https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk
What is a “landlord top-up Metro Code” sometimes also known as a “free-issue Metro Code”?
This is a Metro Code generated at the request of the landlord for meter credit – from 1 kWh up to a maximum of 999 kWh.
A landlord might for example request a free issue to:
- Give tenants a set amount of free electricity every month
- Assist a vulnerable tenant
- Allow workmen refurbishing an empty apartment access to power
- Allow tenant moving from one unit to another to add credit already purchased to her new meter.
A landlord top-up Metro Code incurs a service fee of £4 incl VAT but no payment is levied for electricity and the landlord will not recover the cost of power used.