1 meter - 2 properties?

bigbadal13 · Oct 24, 2011

Hi all, my first post and i'm only starting doing domestic work after mainly industrial so please bear with me!

I've been asked to re-wire a building that is a flat above a shop. the new owner wants to turn it into a lock-up shop and have the flat seperate. There is currently 2 old cu's which need replacing, one for the shop and one for the flat but both are fed from 1 meter which i think is a smart meter. A few questions -

1. Does he have to have a seperate meter for each cu as the property is in effect going to be split in 2?

I guess its a common question on here but i need to cut the tags to replace the tails as they are in a woeful state and to resite the cu's, so
2. Can i cut them and put the new tails in to the new cu's and then who do I have to inform to re-seal it?
3. Am i right in my understanding that the tails can only be a max of 3 meters long or is that dependant on the suppliers?

Many thanks

stuart569 · Oct 24, 2011

get supply company out to install a new meter for other flat and get them to install switches at same time

Des 56 · Oct 24, 2011

If there is one supplier bill payer,why pay for 2 meters and 2 standing charges

The existing supply has been adequate for both the shop and flat till now,unless there is going to be an expected increased load,it could be left as is
Fit your own switch fuse after splitting the tails for the flat,a set of tails to the cons unit of the shop and either make arrangements for then to isolate and then re energise or make a temporary connection and apply to them for connection,used to be £16

It has been known for some people to obtain their own seals from e bay or the like and do the resealing themselves because of the impracticality of the suppliers service and expense in this matter

Having a second supply could then be for future consideration if and when required and easily altered with very little effort

Knobhead · Oct 25, 2011

The supply to the flat needs to be metered, this can be done by fitting a private meter in the supply to the flat. This way the shop receives the bill and then the shop owner and the tenant divide the bill proportionally. Doing it this way save paying two standing charges.Section 44 of the Electricity Act 1989 and section 37 of the Gas Act 1986. Have a look at http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Media/PressRel/Archive/900-r0902_30jan.pdf

bigbadal13 · Oct 25, 2011

Thanks all

i=p/u · Oct 26, 2011

Does the cu not need to be in the flat itself................

Knobhead · Oct 26, 2011

i=p/u said:
Does the cu not need to be in the flat itself................

Now that’s a moot point, both meters should be accessible to both parties if it’s a shared supply. Separate metering is the best option, no argument about the share of the bill, but it’s expensive. £50 for a reconditioned, calibrated meter or £XK for a new supply?