How Do I Pay for My Electricity?

Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 17:12
Last edited 20/12/2017 - 19:50

Just purchased and settled this new off the plan apartment and I cant figure out how to connect to electrical supplier. Electrical supplier ask me for my NMI (national meter identifier) I contacted the real estate agent and the strata and they're both confused people who have no idea too and they're asking the builder on my behalf. The builder is saying "there is no NMI for each unit, the electricity is installed as an 'integrated system' and that each owner is to set up their own meter with the supplier of their choice". I said that to my electrical supplier DoDo and they said they dont install meters and they're guessing that there might only be 1 meter for the entire building and it is owned by the body corp and if it is the case, im locked to use the electricity supplier that the body corp chooses. The builder denies this is the case

im like what the ___? what is happening? Im not sure what to do. The body corp havent even been to the building and they got no idea. They dont even have keys to electrical cabinets in the common hallways yet.

Is this related to the POWER OF CHOICE that started this month???

1) SUPPLIER PAY THE COST TO INSTALL NEW METER?

2) SUPPLIER ARRANGE TO INSTALL NEW METER? (HOW COME THEY ASK ME FOR MY ELECTRICIAN TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PHASE AMP ETC.)

3) IS IT A BREACH OF CODE THAT BUILDER CAN BUILD APARTMENT WITHOUT INDIVIDUAL METERS?

4) WT (PROFANITY) IS GOING ON.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • dcep on 20/12/2017 - 17:22

    is there power to your unit ?

    is there power to the common hallways ? (lighting) ?

    • Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 17:42

      Yes there is

      • dcep on 20/12/2017 - 17:43

        yes for both ?

        then don't bother.

        • Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 17:43

          Ill need to set up electricity on my acc and dodos already charged me for set up fees and monthly fee in advanced

        • dcep on 20/12/2017 - 17:44

          @Thenarrator:

          did you receive letter from anyone that says they'll cut off your electricity if account hasn't been setup by XXXX ?

        • Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 17:45

          @phunkydude: nope but ive already paid for set up fee

        • dcep on 20/12/2017 - 17:46
          +3

          @Thenarrator:

          dodo ?????

          ask for refund since they can't supply anything.

        • Cheap Charlie on 20/12/2017 - 19:05
          +1

          @phunkydude:

          ^ This

  • Jnr202 on 20/12/2017 - 17:26

    Sounds like you signed a contract stating that you have to pay for the metre installation(builder doesn't provide).

    You'll need to call a provider and let them know you need a meter installed and connection(not dodo by the sound of it)

    Surprised the builder didnt do it but it's about $550 for the metre and is due on your first bill.

    • Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 17:42

      (profanity) me. is this common..

      • Cheap Charlie on 20/12/2017 - 19:07

        This can not be the case, if power is already available in the apartment, this step has been completed.
        Without a meter there would be no supply to your apartment.

        • Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 19:55

          are you 100% sure. What about the case that there is a main meter for the whole building (thereby giving your unit electricity) and theres no individual unit metering. To know how much your unit's comsumptions are, you are required to install your own sub-meter to monitor. i.e. pay for your own electrician to hook up the wires.

  • Jnr202 on 20/12/2017 - 17:29

    Just read it was an apartment, thought I read townhouse..not sure about apartments, sometimes you have to use the provider that supplies the whole building.

  • Cheap Charlie on 20/12/2017 - 17:45
    +1

    Its common for apartment complexs to have a single feed, with individual metering within the building.
    Normally in such arrangments the developer will engage a middle man company that takes care of accounts and billing.
    If this is the case you have no say as to the provider.

    The body corp havent even been to the building and they got no idea

    The Body Corporate is every one whom owns a unit within the complex.
    The Body Corporate Committe represent the other unit owners and are elected at the first Annual General Meeting.
    Until such point in time the Body Corp Committee does not exist.
    The other party involved is the Body Corprate Managers, usually a third party company engaged to advise the committee and take care of accounting.

    the electricity is installed as an 'integrated system' and that each owner is to set up their own meter with the supplier of their choice

    If there is power to your unit, metering has to already be in place.
    At this point in time, if the power is on in your unit use it.

    Does the building have a manager?
    If so the building manager is your go to person.
    If you can find a building manager but they are unsure, ask to be taken to the switch room.
    Metering will normally be located here.
    Meters will be marked as to which unit they are metering.

    • Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 17:52

      thank you for detailed response. here are some more detailed questions.

      Does my own electrical supplier need to know the meter number inside the electrical cabinet ?(i assume this meter number is not the same as NMI number. NMI number is what supplier is after). Who reads this meter? the strata or my electrical supplier?

      with regards to your first paragraph, apparently it seems to be the configuration as you have stated: single feed with individual metering and im locked with stratas electrical retailer. However this contradicts what builder said. builder said it is an integrated electrical system yet i have to find my own retailer.

      • Cheap Charlie on 20/12/2017 - 19:04

        apparently it seems to be the configuration as you have stated: single feed with individual metering and im locked with stratas electrical retailer.

        If this is the case, you most likely will deal with a third party strata energy company.
        Your power is connected already.
        Most likely the third party will send you a letter requesting your information if the Developer has not supplied them with your information.

        In terms of metere reading, The main supplier will read the complexs single meter.
        From there the third party will read the indivual meters.
        Its possible this is done remotely.

        builder said it is an integrated electrical system yet i have to find my own retailer.

        How many apartments in the complex and how many floors?
        Developers normally do not go this route on new buildings as I believe its more costly for them.
        Again, the only way to know for sure at this point in time is via a building manager, strata manager or developer.

        I pressume you are owner occupier, if so at this point I would stop the searching and just use the power.
        Eventually how ever the system is configured will present its self when some one wants to be paid for the power usage.

        • Thenarrator on 20/12/2017 - 19:53

          "I pressume you are owner occupier, if so at this point I would stop the searching and just use the power.
          Eventually how ever the system is configured will present its self when some one wants to be paid for the power usage."

          It is possible this will not happen and electricity supplier start "estimating" the costs due to "unable to find meter". Happened to my friend. They were paying $100 of gas. Now the bill comes in at $1200 and the supplier's excuse was "we were unable to locate the meter, this is the average estimated cost. please pay now"

          there are 3 floors about 50 units.

          strata has no (profanity) clue. I ask them, they ask the builder, they reply back. Acting just like a post man. They dont even know where the electrical cabinet is when i asked them.

        • dcep on 20/12/2017 - 20:44

          @Thenarrator:

          you don't have account, they can't bill you

          electricity goes by name, not occupier

          they address it to your unit as "Occupier" , that can throw straight into bin

  • PAOK11 on 21/12/2017 - 11:11

    Your in an embedded network & the owner pays for the meter at settlement. Look into the new laws implemented on Dec 1st 2017. Most people are not aware of the law changes & all meters are now required to have NMI's from my brief read of the new laws

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