What are electric submeters?

Submeters are installed when someone wants to share an existing (metered) MAIN supply of electricity or water with others, often in multi-let properties or ADUs. Some landlords are cutting their install costs by as much as 50% with electric submeters. Submeters are inexpensive and can be installed using much of the existing infrastructure and without running new supply cables to a property. If your property has been correctly wired with each section on its own circuit, then installing a submeter is a relatively straightforward exercise.

What are the advantages of electric submeters?

The advantages of electric submeters include: easy control of bills, reduced administration and risk, cheaper meters and faster installation, an option to set your tariff so that tenants pay the Metro Prepaid 12% (of Metro Code value) service fee, improved cash flow, water used through the sub meter is paid back to owner and there are consumption reports available.

To read more on the benefits of electric submeters from Metro Prepaid, click here.

How does the Metro Prepaid sub meter work?

The electric submeter is installed with it’s own sub-board, where needed, and to top-up their electricity, the tenant will have to go to any PayNearMe linked store (e.g. participating 7Eleven, Walmart, Dollar General, CVS and Casey's) with a PayNearMe order number to get their Metro Code. Tenants can also top-up their electricity through online payments or get Metro Codes from here.

The cost of landlord electricity flowing through the prepaid submeters is recovered through Metro Codes sold, and is repaid to the landlord by Metro Prepaid (monthly via ACH). Metro Prepaid collects the payments from the tenants for their usage and pays this money to the landlord so that they pay their account with the energy company.

You can ask a trusted local electrician to install the submeter for you.

There is 1 type of electric submeter available: Metro Prepayment Meter Single Phase METADU

These are available from a variety of wholesalers and retailers. With a help desk that operates 24 hours, you can be assured that you get all the technical information and assistance you need to operate our electric submeters.

Does the Metro Prepaid submeter replace the main landlord meter?

Metro Prepaid submeter does not replace the main energy company meter, they must be connected downstream of the main energy company meter. The existing energy company meter will remain in the property and within the utility area. These are what are considered submeters, used for sub or secondary metering only and may not be used as a main or primary meter. 

Using our electric submeters is beneficial as they reduce the administration of bills as you get more control and improved cash flow with the faster installation process. This also improves your property valuation and the tenants will appreciate the easy top-ups, control of their electricity usage with better technology.

When do I receive my payments?

Payments are made to the landlord, during the 1st week of every month, as agreed in the Terms of Service.  The Metro Prepaid system also automatically sends out a building statement to all clients whose email addresses were captured on the system.

You can also contact our Help Desk 24 hours a day to send you more detailed or other reports.

Where in the US are the Metro Prepaid submeters available?

Metro Prepaid submeters are available from electrical wholesalers across the US. Call our help desk on 571 933 8557. 

Where are the Metro Prepaid submeters manufactured?

Metro Prepaid uses leading factories to manufacture prepaid submeters.

Do Metro Prepaid submeters have a warranty?

Yes, a one-year warranty on the electric submeter. The warranty commences on the date of first registration with our Help Desk. Removing factory seals to open the meter and access its inner workings will invalidate the warranty. The seals on the clear plastic terminal cover may be removed and replaced by an electrician authorised by the property owner when fitting or checking a submeter.

Are Metro Prepaid submeters suitable for ADUs?

Metro Prepaid submeters work well for ADUs. 

Are Metro Prepaid meters suitable for apartments?

Yes, but only where a landlord rents to a tenant.

Where can I view Metro Prepaid Terms of Service?

Metro Prepaid’s Terms of Service are available on the installation form, prepacked with the meter, or call our help desk and ask us to send you a copy.

Options to collect Tenant Electricity Usage

Landlords who have commercial properties, blocks of flats or simply rent out an ADU to meet the growing demand for affordable urban accommodation, need to collect payment for utilities like electricity from their tenants.

There are a number of options available, for example:

• Charging a fixed recovery which is not linked to usage 
• Requesting that your energy company install an additional separately metered connection 
• Installing a post-paid readable submeter requiring monthly readings, invoicing administration and collection of payments 
• Installing a prepaid submeter from a service provider like Metro Prepaid

Each of these have pros, cons and legal implications, but submetering whether prepaid or postpaid is generally considered the fairest approach.

Regulations include:

Any NEC and local wiring codes.

Metro Prepaid recommends that Landlords of residential properties charge their tenants only the tariff charged to them by the energy company and allow for the cost of any submetering service fees when setting rental amounts.

Landlords of commercial properties that fall outside the scope of the Rental Housing Act have more flexibility under the regulations and may choose to make it a condition of lease that tenants pay submetering service fees directly to the service provider.

Landlords who are unsure of their position under the regulations should request independent legal advice.

Click here for reviews from landlords or click here to buy an electric sub meter for landlords.

Who are Metro Prepaid? 

Metro Prepaid was formed in 2015, to help landlords collect utility payments from tenants using electric submeters. 

Metro Prepaid is customer-centric – we are totally passionate about serving our customers, whether they be landlords, submeter sellers, installers or tenants. 

We aim to offer our customers electric submeter products which are:

• simple – off-the-shelf, simple to install, quick to register
• efficient – get the job done with the least fuss
• transparent – our fee structures are fully disclosed and easy to understand
• best value – commitment to provide the lowest submeter prices and the best value service fees 

Supported by a friendly, approachable and committed team of customer centric individuals

Call us on 571 933 8557 to find out how we can help you manage usage and collect electricity payments from your tenants. 

Where are Metro Prepaid's offices?

Our call centre operates 24x7x365 servicing metering customers in Africa, Asia Pac, Europe, the Americas and the UK.