No access to electricity meter

[Manorial]

Hi there,

We have just moved into a new house. It's part of a huge old Victorian mansion that has been split up into 6 different houses. This was done sometime in the 70s.

What the rental agency didn't tell us, is that our electricity meter (and everyone else's) is located in the first house! They couldn't access it when the last tenants left, so have no idea what the meter was on.

When we moved in, we were informed the tenants who live in the first house (with the meters) don't want the agents going in to read the meters. They are currently in Australia and have ignored the agents emails to ask for meter readings/or permission to read them.

What the hell can we do? I'm not happy having an estimated bill as we all know they estimate upwards. We are being very careful about our electricity usage because of the costs.

We don't know how much we are using. Our electricty company had no advice really, other than move the meter. The landlord has refused to move the meter as it would cost thousands.

Not a lot you can do unfortunately apart from maybe a smart meter. The consumer unit wouldn't work as it has to be within so many metres of the meter but at least the electric company would be getting accurate readings. Obviously they would have to have access to install it which sounds like another stumbling block if the people in that house are not helpful.

Where is your electricity switch off? As in the whole flat? Fuse box type thing? If you cannot shut off your electric this is a safety issue and needs to be resolved urgently. If you have a fuse board but just the meter which is in accessible then I would suggest to your landlord that if you cannot access the meter for readings (and the landlord absolutely can access the flat given notice to the tenants to read that meter) then the rent should be inclusive of electricity as the supply is not properly separated.

I would not sign up to an electricity bill that I cannot access. Good luck though OP, a difficult situation.

I don't think this meets any kind of regulations op. Have you got the electrical certificate? It's a legal requirement.

Letting agent has really cocked up here in not ensuring a final meter read was taken. You can basically use as much electric as you like and makeup a 'move in' reading later on, and nobody has evidence to counter it.

How the hell do you repair a switch or put in a light fitting with no access to the mains?

You dont need access to the meter to do those things, just the fuse box which could well be within OPs property.

Tenant is still refusing to allow us access to read the meters. They have lied to the agents again about not being there/they claim to have told us the readings. I'm starting to think they are a bit unhinged.

If they are a tenant then they can be given notice that access will be needed on such and such day at whatever time. They can't refuse all together, they are tenants.
Invent smoke smell or something for a quick access if they are in Australia.