Landlord Meters FAQ
Where in UK are the Metro Prepaid prepayment meters available?
Metro Prepaid prepayment sub meters are available from electrical wholesalers across UK. Call our help desk on 020 3020 1444 to help you locate your closest supplier.
What is the cost of the Metro Prepaid sub-meter?
Electricity Metro Prepaid sub-meters cost around £50 depending on where you buy.
I have seen the range of electric sub meters you offer but I am not sure which sub meter to choose. How do I determine which is the best meter to buy?
It is best to consult with a trusted electrical technician contractor so that they can advise on which meter best suits the needs of your property.
Does Metro Prepaid sell a meter with a separate keypad?
Yes, the MET004 has MBUS technology enabling a separate hard-wired keypad to be installed. This serves as additional anti-tamper security.
The sub meter can be installed in a secure room to which the tenant does not have access. Split meters also provide the ability to install the keypad at just the right height to ensure convenient access for tenants to enter their Metro Codes.
Can I use a separate keypad with a MET001 meter?
No, the MET001 does not have MBUS technology. Please install a MET004 if you require this functionality.
Is it possible to install Metro Prepaid meters in Ireland?
Metro Prepaid meters with the ability to purchase Metro Codes using a debit or credit card online through Metro Pay-By-Phone in Euros will soon be available.
Can I buy replacement terminal covers from Metro Prepaid?
Yes, replacement terminal covers are available from Metro Prepaid.
Can I buy replacement meter seals from Metro Prepaid?
Yes, replacement numbered meter seals are available from Metro Prepaid.
Does Metro Prepaid sell coin meters?
Yes, Metro Prepaid has a marketing agreement with Owen Brothers Metering to promote Emlite coin meters.
What customers buy Metro Prepaid electric sub meters?
Metro Prepaid helps landlords and tenants to optimize electricity usage. Metro meters are installed in Housing Association properties, HMO's, residential camp parks, residential boat mooring and additional dwelling units like granny flats. Metro Prepaid meters also support commercial landlords and tenants that need a sub-metering solution for offices, retail, warehousing and storage and light industrial parks.
Installation - Landlord Electricity
What do I need to do if I want to install a Metro Prepaid sub meter?
Ask a trusted local electrician to install the sub meter for you, electrical sub meters are available from electricity wholesalers across the UK. Call us on 087 0225 0215 for registration and to activate the sub meter.
Where in UK are the Metro Prepaid sub meters available?
Metro Prepaid sub meters are available from electrical wholesalers across the UK. Call our help desk on 020 3020 1144
Who arranges the installation of the sub meter?
Landlords must choose a local electrician to install the Metro Prepaid electrical sub meter.
Does the Metro Prepaid sub meter replace the main landlord meter?
Metro Prepaid sub meter does not replace the landlord meter, they must be connected downstream from the landlord meter.
Can I install the Metro Prepaid sub meter myself?
The electrical sub meter must be installed by a technical competent person according to regulations.
Do I need approval from the local council or energy supplier to install the Metro Prepaid sub meter?
Generally, a Landlord can install a sub meter on private property without any approval, the sub meter must be installed correctly according to local regulations.
Are the Metro Prepaid sub meters MID certified?
Yes, Metro Prepaid electric sub meters are certified. They also carry the CE Mark/MID and are ROHS compliant.
Will I be able to install a Metro Prepaid sub-meter in a remote rural location?
Yes, Metro Prepaid meters can be installed anywhere in South Africa.
Can I use my own electrician to install the sub meter?
Yes, Metro Prepaid recommends that you use a trusted local electrician/plumber to install your sub meter.
How quickly can I install a Metro Prepaid sub meter?
Metro Prepaid sub meters can be installed in a matter of hours; just purchase one from your nearest wholesaler, appoint an electrician to install it and then call us on 020 3020 1144 for registration and to activate the sub meter.
Can Metro Prepaid recommend an electrician for the sub meter installation?
No, Metro Prepaid does not approve electricians. Landlords should select a trusted electrician in their area to complete the installation.
Metro Prepaid does not form alliances with some contractors at the expense of others. We will support any technical competent electrician.
Must I get a compliance certificate?
Landlords must observe local regulations and request compliance certificates where required.
If my main supply or meter is out of credit, will the Metro Prepaid sub meter work?
No, the sub meter relies on the main supply landlord meter for electricity, if the main supply is disconnected or out of credit, the sub meter will not work.
Can tenants in 4 different rooms share a single sub meter?
Metro Prepaid recommends that each tenant is allocated a separate sub meter for their room.
What if I need technical support?
Metro Prepaid’s help desk is available 24 hours a day to assist landlords, tenants and installers on 020 3020 1144
What if I have a service query?
Metro Prepaid’s help desk is available 24 hours a day to assist landlords, tenants and installers on 020 3020 1144
How many Metro Prepaid sub meters can I install on a single property?
Install as many as your electricity supply permits. Ask your electrician for advice.
An electrician installed my sub meter but it is not working. Can I take it back to the wholesaler?
No, first call our help desk and speak to a technician.
What is the easiest way to install a prepaid sub meter in an HMO?
Note that each room in an HMO should be fitted with its own mini Consumer Unit (CU) - the supply to the CU should be controlled by a dedicated circuit breaker on the Main Distribution Board (CU)
HMO Daddy suggests that you use an existing plug socket in each room to run the wiring from the new Consumer Unit in the room back to the breaker on the main board - this obviates the need for new reticulation between the main board and the rooms.
Diagram reproduced with kind permission from HMO Daddy
How many sets of seals are there on a Metro Prepaid landlord sub meter?
There are two sets of seals on a Metro Prepaid landlord sub meter:
1. Terminal cover seals (1 in picture below) secure the terminal cover - these can be removed by the electrician and replaced.
2. Factory seals (2 in picture above) these seal the meter enclosure, safeguard the electronic and measuring integrity of the meter and can’t be removed without invalidating the warranty.
Removing these would be akin to opening a TV and tinkering with the internal circuits.
Unfortunately this meter can’t be returned for testing because the green factory seals have been removed. Electricians should contact our Help Desk which is available 24hrs if they have difficulty fitting a meter.
You should only return a meter that isn’t working to the Electrical Wholesaler you purchased it from for testing if our Help Desk instructs you to do so.
The team at our Help Desk can resolve most installation problems with you over the phone on site.
ould only return a meter to you for testing if our Help Desk instructs them to do so.
Electric sub meter with factory seals intact
What are the dimensions of the Metro Prepaid MET001 and MET004 electric sub meters?
Dimensions for the Metro Prepaid MET001 and MET004 electric sub meters are:
217.4mm (H) x 130mm (W) x 83.3mm (D)
What is the maximum terminal size of the Metro Prepaid electric sub meter?
The maximum size of the terminal is φ10mm
Should fire prevention equipment be connected to the ring circuit served by a PAYG sub meter?
It is recommended that fire prevention equipment is connected to the landlord’s main consumer unit rather than a circuit controlled by a PAYG sub meter.
This removes the risk that an occupants choice to self-disconnect will impact the fire equipment.
Would 10 of the Metro Prepaid single phase meters be sufficient for 10 flats, while having 1 main meter?
Check with your electrician that you have sufficient power available to support 10 sub meters.
You only need a DB box that divides electrical power feed into subsidiary circuits, providing a protective fuse or circuit breaker for each circuit in a common enclosure.
What is the meaning of low voltage on the meter?
The current supply from the main meter to the sub meter is too low.
Can I replace my main meter with a Metro Prepaid meter?
No, it is illegal to use the metro prepaid meter as a main meter, we are a private sub metering company and our meter needs to be connected to the metered supply after the main meter.
How do I manage tamper risk on electric sub meters?
Metro Prepaid meters have a built-in tamper protection, for extra tamper protection landlords may install MET004 split keypad meters in a location inaccessible to tenants. The terminal cover should be secured with numbered seals.
Meters should be inspected periodically by a competent electrician. Landlords should monitor tenants' Metro Code purchase history and identify any low or irregular Metro Code purchase activity.
Meter installations should be inspected by a competent electrician.