Shared Meter Testing Guide
Detect if you're incorrectly paying for electricity used in communal areas or other properties
If You Have a Shared Meter:
1. Document Everything
- Take photos of your meter readings during the test
- Record dates and times of all tests
- Keep copies of your electricity bills
- Note any communal areas or other properties involved
2. Contact Your Landlord
- Inform them immediately in writing (email or letter)
- Request urgent rectification of the wiring
- Ask for refund of overpayments
- Set a reasonable deadline for response (14 days)
3. Contact Your Energy Supplier
- Report the shared meter situation
- Request an investigation
- Ask about temporary billing adjustments
- Request historical usage data
4. Escalation Options
- Contact Citizens Advice for support
- Report to local Trading Standards
- Consider small claims court for refunds
- Contact Energy Ombudsman if supplier doesn't help
- You should only pay for electricity you use in your property
- Landlords cannot pass communal electricity costs to individual tenants
- You may be entitled to refunds for historical overpayments
- Your supplier must investigate reported meter issues
Template Letter to Landlord
Dear [Landlord Name],
Re: Shared Electricity Meter at [Property Address]
I have conducted tests that indicate my electricity meter is incorrectly wired and is recording usage from [communal areas/other properties].
Test conducted on [date]: When I switched off my consumer unit main switch, the meter continued to record electricity usage, confirming it supplies areas outside my tenancy.
This arrangement is not lawful, and I request:
1. Immediate investigation and rectification of the wiring
2. Calculation and refund of overpayments
3. Written confirmation of actions to be taken
Please respond within 14 days. If not resolved, I will escalate to Trading Standards and seek legal advice.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]