A : Absolutely nothing! In fact, our qualified electricians will do a site inspection and check if the meter is in working order and put our Meter Man stickers and seals on. Contact our client service team by clicking here to take advantage of this offer.
A : Within a week if we can. Obviously, the timing depends on the compliance of your current supplier in supplying the relevant information to us.
A : We are painfully aware of the need for accurate, on time payments for your utilities and will never hold back payments that we have received through our vending channels. We aren’t even sure why some other suppliers wouldn’t do this! We also monitor the payments through your meters to pick up possible tampering and defaults as quickly as possible, so they can be rectified early on.
A : The Meter Man provides a secure online portal where clients can log in to their profile at any time to check their meter’s performance. Furthermore, The Meter Man sends monthly status reports to all of our clients, showing the status of your meter accounts. We can also provide specialised reports for use in AGM or board meetings.
A : If you meter is beeping it usually means that the units on the meter are low. Check the meter to see how many units are available on the meter.
With regards to error codes, it depends what type of meter you have. If you have a prepaid meter from The Meter Man, you can call call our office on 086 111 5612 or our after-hours support team on 071 552 6549 or 079 997 5671.
NOTE: please only call us if you have a meter from The Meter Man, as we are unable to assist you with prepaid meters from other companies.
A : First thing you can do is make sure you are entering the correct 20-digit recharge token. If the token is still rejecting, make sure you bought the recharge token for the correct meter number. Tokens can only be used with the prepaid meter number you entered when purchasing the token.
A : The owner, landlord or managing agent may have arranged for the meter to be blocked due to rent not being paid, late payments or other disputes with the tenant. A meter can also be blocked due to not having the correct information on the system.
A : It is suggested that you load enough electricity on your meter prior to leaving as a prepaid meter cannot be recharged remotely. We also advise that you do not load an excessive amount if you are leaving your home, as recharge tokens do eventually expire.
A : Yes, tokens expire after one year. Also, it is not advisable to buy a token and not load the token. Tokens must be loaded in the sequence they were bought. For example, if a token is bought and not loaded, and 10 more tokens are bought after the initial purchase, the first one will not be accepted as the meter loads tokens in sequence.
A : A minimum charge on a meter is set if the municipal account shows additional charges that are being by the municipality to the owner.
A minimum charge is payable with the first transaction on a meter every month. If there are no additional charges from the municipality, a meter is only set on a flat tariff.
A : You would know if your meter was replaced due to the meter being faulty, although this is very rare. You will receive a new meter number and the units you had on your previous meter will be transferred to your new meter. We call it a replacement token.
A : The meter cannot be hacked as it requires specialised software to be able to read the meter. This can only be done by The Meter Man or the factory directly.
A : If you are a qualified electrician or plumber you may install your own meter, but you would need to send us the job card for the meter installed as we need to capture the meter number with your application form.
A : With the ongoing growth of the South African property market, which includes both commercial and residential developments, there is a rising demand for efficient ways to monitor and bill tenants for water and electricity use. The use of sub-meters, such as those provided by The Meter Man, enables landlords and property owners to reliably and accurately manage utilities, reducing the risks of providing water and electricity to tenants.
A : A sub-meter (subsidiary meter) is a meter that allows landlords, property managers, or body corporates to monitor and manage electricity or water usage. The Meter Man installs sub-meters downstream from the main municipal or Eskom meter, which does not replace the main meter—doing so would be illegal. Each area that will consume water or electricity has its own sub-meter. Sub-meters are versatile and can be used in various settings, such as backyard rentals, granny flats, student accommodation, vacation rentals, business parks, apartment blocks, complexes, and more. The Meter Man’s sub-meters can measure both electricity and water usage.
A : The main council or Eskom meter records the total utility consumption for the entire property, while the sub-meter records the consumption only for the specific sub-metered area. This means that the sub-meter’s consumption is a portion of what is recorded by the main meter, helping to divide costs more accurately between tenants or sections of a property.
A : Without sub-meters, landlords, property managers, or body corporates are left with two options:
Option 1: Divide the total water and electricity consumption recorded on the main meter by the number of tenants or by square meterage per tenant. This is commonly done in commercial setups but is less common in residential settings. The downside is that this method is neither fair nor accurate, and may lead to disputes or payment issues from tenants.
Option 2: Install a postpaid meter for billing purposes. This can lead to tenant disputes over usage, involves administrative work for invoicing, and carries the risk of non-payment, though it may still be fairer than dividing usage without any metering.
Alternatively, Option 3 offers a better solution: Install a prepaid sub-meter for water and/or electricity. Tenants can pay upfront for their utilities, ensuring timely payments and preventing disputes.
A : Prepaid sub-metering offers numerous advantages for both landlords and tenants. It allows for transparent, reliable, and accurate utility management, reducing administrative tasks, improving customer satisfaction, and saving money. Since tenants pay upfront for their utilities, landlords no longer face the challenge of collecting payments. The transparency of prepaid sub-metering allows tenants to monitor their water and electricity usage, helping them reduce consumption and save money. This system also encourages less waste, making it a greener option, and minimises disputes over usage and billing.
As The Meter Man has seen over the years, tenants value transparency in their electricity and water usage, which allows them to manage their budgets better and feel confident in their utility expenses. Managing agents and landlords who provide transparent, modern, and accessible systems foster better relationships with their tenants.
A : Sub-metering in South Africa is entirely legal, as long as landlords adhere to relevant regulations and do not overcharge tenants. The laws governing sub-metering include:
The Rental Housing Act.
The Electricity Regulation Act.
Applicable municipal by-laws and regulations.
Please note: The Meter Man’s sub-meters are prepaid and must always be installed downstream from Eskom or council meters. Any attempt to replace the main meter is illegal and subject to criminal prosecution.