How to report faulty electricity meter that's not mine?

[TonyRPH]

Our electricity meters are in a communal area (block of flats) - one of the electricity meters is not registering any consumption, and the red indicator light is permanently on.

The apartment it server has been empty for a 3 years - I don't know who the provider is - but I do know who the DNO is.

How can I report this?

I'm viewing this as a safety issue.

[finlo]

TonyRPH said:

Our electricity meters are in a communal area (block of flats) - one of the electricity meters is not registering any consumption, and the red indicator light is permanently on.

The apartment it server has been empty for a 3 years - I don't know who the provider is - but I do know who the DNO is.

How can I report this?

I'm viewing this as a safety issue.

If its an empty apartment why would it be registering any consumption?

[TonyRPH]

finlo said:

If its an empty apartment why would it be registering any consumption?

I happen to know that the hot water was left on. The meter is clearly faulty (it's just displaying zeroes - as well as the red light).

[Sheepshanks]

Building management?

[Panamax]

TonyRPH said:

How can I report this?

Finding the supplier is all on this link,
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/finding-your-energy-suppl...

[TonyRPH]

Sheepshanks said:

Building management?

I am building management (we are self managed).

Panamax said:

Finding the supplier is all on this link,
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/finding-your-energy-suppl...

I've already been on that site - there was no way to find the existing (or previous) energy supplier to the apartment.

[Gary C]

The meter serial will be on the national database with its MPAN

https://connections.nationalgrid.co.uk/what-is-my-...

It might kick you to another site but should get you there

Edited by Gary C on Thursday 11th June 14:03

[Panamax]

^^ This. It can definitely all be traced from the meter number.

[Gary C]

Panamax said:

^^ This. It can definitely all be traced from the meter number.

Except when they fk up

Its gas, but we have a meter that EDF supply, but British Gas think we have a different one on the end of the same pipe and want us to pay them too.

[Sheepshanks]

TonyRPH said:

Sheepshanks said:

Building management?

I am building management (we are self managed).

As you view leaving the water heater on as a safety issue, do you have authority / ability to enter the flat?

Is there a main fuse, or an isolator, for the flat at the meter?

You could try the DNO (operator) for the area: https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-n...

[TonyRPH]

Sheepshanks said:

As you view leaving the water heater on as a safety issue, do you have authority / ability to enter the flat?

Is there a main fuse, or an isolator, for the flat at the meter?

You could try the DNO (operator) for the area: https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-n...

This did eventually lead me to a contact form which I duly filled out and sent - only to get a reply:

reply said:

In regarding with you Enquiry Webform we do not deal with electrical meters . I have look into the pictures for you and it's seen to be a faulty error with your meter . Please contact your energy supplier for further investigation on this issue .

I also found another form which enables me to establish who the current energy supplier is (or was!) - however I have to declare I am the bill payer and resident etc. etc. which as I am not - I cannot do.

I guess the industry is simply not that bothered about 'giving away' electricity...

I have decided to abandon it and presume the meter remains safe, despite the apparent fault.

Thanks everyone, for the replies.

[OutInTheShed]

Red light not flashing, no current being drawn?

[TonyRPH]

OutInTheShed said:

Red light not flashing, no current being drawn?

I'm confident there is current being drawn (I know for a fact).

But all the meter readings are zeroes (rate 1 and rate 2).

No matter anyway - I'll leave it for the next occupant to sort out.

The meter is not generating any heat so there's probably little risk of a catastrophic failure.

[finlo]

TonyRPH said:

OutInTheShed said:

Red light not flashing, no current being drawn?

I'm confident there is current being drawn (I know for a fact).

But all the meter readings are zeroes (rate 1 and rate 2).

No matter anyway - I'll leave it for the next occupant to sort out.

The meter is not generating any heat so there's probably little risk of a catastrophic failure.

Have you tried scrolling through the menu as the KWH readings aren't always on display also any current will be very rarely drawn if the hot water isn't being used.

[OutInTheShed]

TonyRPH said:

OutInTheShed said:

Red light not flashing, no current being drawn?

I'm confident there is current being drawn (I know for a fact).

But all the meter readings are zeroes (rate 1 and rate 2).

No matter anyway - I'll leave it for the next occupant to sort out.

The meter is not generating any heat so there's probably little risk of a catastrophic failure.

As in actually producing hot water?

Do you have the make and model of the meter?

I would have expected the freehold owner of the building to have some rights to a conversation with the DNO.
It's unusual for a live meter not to be generating a standing charge that someone is paying (or a t least being billed for!), is it possible the meter is actually cutting off the supply, e.g. if it's a smart meter with no supply contract?

If lights and stuff still work in that flat, maybe they are supplied by another meter, it would not be original or unique...

[TonyRPH]

OutInTheShed said:

As in actually producing hot water?

Do you have the make and model of the meter?

I would have expected the freehold owner of the building to have some rights to a conversation with the DNO.
It's unusual for a live meter not to be generating a standing charge that someone is paying (or a t least being billed for!), is it possible the meter is actually cutting off the supply, e.g. if it's a smart meter with no supply contract?

If lights and stuff still work in that flat, maybe they are supplied by another meter, it would not be original or unique...

Hot water: yes
Lights: yes
Ampy Automation Type 5224E
The management company (that's all of us owners) owns the freehold
It's not a smart meter - it's old, original to when the units were developed around 2011 or so
There is no other meter - all apartments are the same - 3 phase -> 100A fuse -> split to meter -> main switch (100A) -> supply to apartment -> consumer unit (CU is in the apartment).

[Sheepshanks]

Do you not have any ability to get into the flat in the event of an 'emergency'?

[TonyRPH]

Sheepshanks said:

Do you not have any ability to get into the flat in the event of an 'emergency'?

I could just throw the main switch in the garage - however that would leave the flat completely without power - probably ok in the summer, but if the heating is set to frost protection and it's disabled well....

[Roofless Toothless]

Fire Prevention Officer at your local station?

[Megaflow]

Gary C said:

Panamax said:

^^ This. It can definitely all be traced from the meter number.

Except when they fk up

Its gas, but we have a meter that EDF supply, but British Gas think we have a different one on the end of the same pipe and want us to pay them too.

We indeed. I worked for an uncles building company for a couple of years between jobs, i attempted to keep the paper work of sites in order with the office.

One of the tasks I got when we finished one site was to get the meter and service head that we used to temporarily power the sales office removed, it used to power one of bungalows we demolished.

Phoned the utility provider, not ours they say… Hmm, someone in the firm says, oh it will be X… phone them… nope… oh it must be Y… nope…

Y referred us to the OFGEM link above, according to that it didn’t exist…



Our spark removed the meter, and the service head was buried…