What is sub-metering for landlords?

Sub-metering for landlords means installing meters behind a single mains supply so that each tenant’s usage is measured separately. This allows you to bill tenants for their actual usage instead of estimating or splitting one supplier bill.

Can a landlord charge tenants for electricity from one main supply?

Yes. A landlord can recharge tenants for electricity from a single landlord supply, as long as they do not charge more than they pay their energy supplier. Sub-metering makes it easy to stay within the rules and show tenants how their charges are calculated.

Do I need a separate meter or MPAN for each flat or room?

No. In many cases you don’t need a separate MPAN for each flat or room. Sub-metering keeps one main supply in the landlord’s name and uses sub-meters behind it to measure each unit. This is usually cheaper and quicker than installing new supplies.

How does sub-metering help me recover my utility costs?

Sub-meters record exactly how much energy or water each tenant uses. MyUnit uses these readings to calculate individual tenant bills and provide you with a clear total each month. That means you can recover your utility costs fairly and avoid losing money on “bills included” arrangements.

Is sub-metering legal in the UK?

Yes. Sub-metering is legal and widely used in HMOs, blocks of flats and commercial buildings. Landlords must follow the rules on resale of electricity and gas, which essentially require that you don’t charge more than you pay your supplier. Sub-metering helps you demonstrate this.

What types of properties can use sub-metering?

Sub-metering works well for HMOs, blocks of self-contained flats, mixed-use buildings, office conversions, business parks and other multi-unit properties that share a single mains supply. If you have one main meter and multiple tenants, sub-metering is usually an option.

Can sub-metering handle tenant turnover and void periods?

Yes. Sub-metering is ideal for properties with frequent tenant changes. MyUnit can stop billing when a tenant leaves, start again when a new tenant moves in, and ensure void periods are handled correctly so you aren’t left out of pocket.

Who pays the main energy supplier when using sub-metering?

The landlord remains the account holder with the main energy supplier. MyUnit bills tenants individually and then provides the landlord with a single consolidated total each month so you can pay the supplier easily.

How accurate are sub-meters?

MyUnit installs MID-approved meters, which are designed and tested for billing accuracy. These meters are suitable for use when charging tenants and help avoid disputes over readings.

What utilities can be sub-metered?

Depending on your setup, sub-metering can be used for electricity, water and gas. Many landlords start with electricity and add other utilities where it makes sense for their building.

Sub-metering for landlords

Fair, accurate billing for HMOs, blocks of flats and mixed-use buildings.

If you manage an HMO, business park or a block of self-contained flats with a single mains supply for electricity, water or gas, MyUnit can help you recover your utility costs.

MyUnit specialises in sub-metering, tenant-level usage billing, and full tenant support. We measure each unit’s consumption accurately, bill tenants fairly on your behalf, take payment and you receive the collected money to pay your supplier at the end of the month.

See how it works

Why we’re different

Sub-metering across all utilities

Most sub-metering companies can just do one utility. We can sub-meter electric, water, gas and heat. You can choose to do one e.g. electric, some or all.

Tenant online service for all utilities

Tenants are able to log into an app and see all utilities within one app in one live balance, and pay using debit card or Apple Pay. It’s a very user friendly.

FAQs

Here are some common questions that landlords ask about sub-metering. If you have any other questions we’d be happy to help, just get in contact.

Sub-metering allows landlords to install meters behind a single mains supply so each tenant’s usage is measured separately. This is an alternative to creating a direct connection for each unit to the electricity grid, water board or gas network.
The landlord remains the account holder for the main supply. The sub-metering provider collects tenant payments and provides the landlord with a‍ cash disbursement at the end of each month ‍to settle the supplier bill.
It’s cheaper and faster to sub-meter. Gaining a direct connection to the grid, water board or gas network can take 6 months or longer. It is also prohibitively expensive in many cases.
Costs vary by property size and layout, but sub-metering is typically much cheaper than installing new direct connections to the grid, water board or gas network. This is also not feasible on older conversions due to the reconfiguration required.
Sub-metering works well for any multi-occupancy site which has one utility connection. For example:
- HMOs
- Blocks of flats
- Mixed-use buildings
- Office conversions
- Business parks and commercial estates
- Caravan sites
All utilities can be sub-metered for example electricity, water, gas and heat.
Yes. Tenants only pay for the energy they use and in void periods the landlord can cover the cost of any utility usage.

Sub-metering for landlords

Why we’re different

Sub-metering across all utilities

Tenant online service for all utilities

FAQs

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