Smart meter awareness campaign week 18 – 22 October 2021

Published: 18/10/2021

The government is this week backing a campaign spearheaded by Smart Energy GB to increase awareness and the number of smart meter installations across the private rented sector.

Smart meters are a part of the UK government’s plans for a smart energy system that will facilitate carbon emissions reductions. The government has asked energy suppliers to provide smart meters free of charge to customers who request them.

These meters measure how much gas and electricity is being used in your property as well as what it’s costing. This data is shown on an easy-to-read in-home display.
The benefits include:
·the ability to track your spending and see where you could make savings
·your energy supplier can access the data to ensure accurate billing
·suppliers could offer you tariffs and reduce your charges if you use power when it is cheaper for them to buy it wholesale
·accurate calculation of final bill at tenancy end without need for meter readings
·encouragement to reduce energy consumption which in turn will help reduce your carbon footprint
Propertymark reports that research conducted into attitudes towards smart meters among landlords and letting agents in the private rented sector uncovered confusion about whose responsibility it is to install a smart meter.

According to Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, it is the billpayer’s right to install a smart meter.

If you are a tenant, we recommend that you notify your landlord before installing a smart meter. Do also check your tenancy agreement to see if you need landlord’s permission to alter metering at your property which, again according to Ofgem, the landlord shouldn’t unreasonably refuse.