Why should you as a landlord Install a smart meter?

These days we are all turning towards greener and more efficient sources of energy, Smart meters can contribute towards this by enabling a flexible energy system whereby energy providers are able to access real time energy consumption data and react accordingly.

That sounds Great, What is a smart meter?

As part of the government’s net zero target, we need to look for ways to decarbonise electricity by making sure that as much electricity as possible is generated by renewables.

Having a smart energy system, which is enabled by smart meters, will help us make the most of renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind energy by allowing energy companies to only run power plants at peak periods when the renewable sources won’t be able to cope.

Smart meters are very handy pieces of technology to have on a personal level too.
Being introduced across the UK as part of a government scheme and replacing the traditional meter (which includes pre-pay key meters), this new generation of meters cleverly measure how much gas and electricity is being used in near-real time.

The display shows this information, along with exactly how much the energy being used is costing too. Smart meters provide readings to the energy provider, meaning no more meter reading required.

There are currently two versions of the smart meter: SMETS 1 (the older version) and SMETS 2 (the latest version). The acronym SMETS stands for ‘Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications’.

The National Residential Landlords Association have written an informative article for landlords regarding the rollout of smart meters.

What are the benefit of smart meters to landlords?

Smart meters are able to send readings to a energy supplier on a half-hourly or daily basis, it eliminates the need for a landlord to attend a rental property to take a meter reading at the end of the tenancy.
A landlord can also keep an eye on any usage during periods of time that a property stands empty.

The smart meter can help at the end of tenancy in other ways too. As the smart meter sends meter readings directly to the supplier, there can be no dispute between tenant and landlord over the final energy bill costs.

How do I go about installing a smart meter?

You should contact your energy provider to get details of when smart meters are being installed in the area that your rental property is and arrange an appointment. The Energy Saving Trust give details as to how to go about this.

For further information, Smart Energy have produced a smart meter fact sheet guide for landlords.

Although not a legal requirement, installing a smart meter is a great way to avoid disputes at the start and end of a tenancy, so irrespective of the energy savings that can be gained by having one, stress free handovers are not an insignificant benefit.

What will it cost me?

Currently, there is No upfront cost of installing a smart meter, installation is free.

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