Who should install electricity meters?

The power supply to a home creates comfortable and safer living conditions.
Electricity is supplied on a paid basis, payments are calculated based on the indicators given by the electric meter. Installation of an electric meter is carried out in apartments and private houses; each metering device has its own service life and eventually requires replacement . New residential buildings are provided with modern models designed for large amounts of energy.

And in houses built earlier, it is necessary to install individual electricity meters of a new type. Such work can be performed by a professionally trained electrician from a company authorized to perform these services.

A consumer who wants to order work needs to know exactly who should install electricity meters. Information about who replaces the device if it is damaged, seals it, and checks the indicators will also be useful.

What regulates the replacement of electric meters

Electricity meters are not new. The user enters into a contract for the supply of light. The service is accounted for by taking readings from a special device. It can be installed by anyone who understands electricity and fire safety. However, an employee of the organization providing the service is required to seal the equipment.

Electricity metering devices are installed in each room in which light is installed.

Important! Replacement of meters and their maintenance are regulated by current Russian Legislation, and in particular:

Civil Code of the Russian Federation (Article 210 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, Article 543 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation);
Housing Code of the Russian Federation;
Federal Law of the Russian Federation N261 of November 31, 2009;
Federal Law of the Russian Federation N102 of July 26, 2008;
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation N530 of August 31, 2006;
Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation N491 of August 13, 2006.

Responsibility for the supply of electricity services falls on the shoulders of the supplying company. They are obliged to provide the user with high-quality light in a timely manner and ensure uninterrupted delivery of the service.

In addition to the electricity supplier, the management company of a particular house is recognized as the responsible person. Employees of the two organizations are required to monitor the technical condition of the equipment, carry out repairs and replacements.

Attention! Our qualified lawyers will assist you free of charge and around the clock on any issues. Find out more here.

Legislative basis

There is a list of legislative documents regulating the work; they determine who can install the meter and who is responsible for this electrical equipment. This list includes the Civil Code , Housing Code .

Government Decree No. 530 , signed on 08/31/26, Government Decree No. 491 , also concerns power supply issues . You also need to take into account Federal Law No. 261, which came into force on November 23, 2009.

ATTENTION! By law, the supplier or management company bears primary responsibility for the electricity supply. Their task is to establish a stable supply of electricity to the consumer.

The responsibility of the supplier and management company includes maintenance of electrical equipment, including electricity meters, monitoring of technical condition, inspection, and repair.

Who should change the electricity meter and at whose expense?

A device for metering electricity consumption is a special piece of equipment that is surrounded by a lot of controversy. Some are sure that it must be installed directly in the apartment, others - in the entrance. Both statements are legal.

The placement of the meter in the stairwell is due to the convenience of inspection services in taking readings. A company employee does not need to knock on every apartment and disturb the owners. This makes it easier to check the integrity, safety and performance of the device.

However, disputes do not subside around the question of at whose expense the installation and replacement of the device is carried out. The supplier is confident that it is the service user who is obliged to ensure the purchase and installation of the meter. On the other hand, the device is considered common property, so the management company is obliged to replace it.

Russian legislation establishes clear rules for the provision of services, which must be followed by the supplier and the Management Company.

In case of installation or replacement of the device in the entrance, the work is carried out at the expense of the management company, if this item is stipulated in the service contract.

The cost is fixed in the contract, and the device is often replaced free of charge.

Remember! The company or owner who owns the electricity meter is required to replace the device. For example, if the owner of an apartment independently acquired the first equipment, then he must deal with subsequent dismantling himself.

If the meter belongs to common property, it is worth starting from the agreement between the management company and the owner. It describes the cost of its maintenance and payment methods.

If the meter is aimed at metering energy consumption in the basement, entrance, or on the street, then it is replaced free of charge, at the expense of the management company. However, the cost of energy consumed is spread across all residents of the house.

Often, employees of management companies resort to deception and include an item on the payment for servicing and replacing metering devices. To avoid this, you must carefully read the terms of the contract.

When concluding a contract, it is mandatory to indicate where the electricity meter is located (on the landing or in the apartment). This determines at whose expense the replacement and technical maintenance of the device is carried out.

According to Russian law, the meter does not have to be located in the apartment. It can also be installed in non-residential premises. In this case, the owner is in a more advantageous position, since the device is not recognized as his individual property.

In this case, the apartment owner should not have questions about the technical condition of the device or its replacement. Such work is carried out exclusively by employees of the management company or service provider.

General information

With the meter removed, it is easy to identify an illegal connection to the electrical network for the purpose of stealing electricity. And also power engineers are guided by a document that describes the conditions for where to install them.

The conditions were approved by Government Decree No. 442 of May 4, 2012. The document clearly defines the installation location of the electricity meter. It must be installed at the border between the balance sheet of electrical networks and the consumer. There is a note that if it is not possible to install devices at the border of the balance sheet, then the devices are installed in close proximity to the border.

Such places could be:

external wall or façade of a house;
site fence post;
specially mounted support for mounting a box with machines and a counter;
the nearest power pole;
staircase of an apartment building.

However, the PUE contains recommendations under which electricity meters should be used. Where it is said that meters must be located in dry rooms with a temperature not lower than zero degrees (clause 1.5.27, chapter 1.5).

When moving the electric meter to the border, it is impossible to comply with the temperature conditions. These contradictions in documents are easily resolved.

The industry produces devices that can be operated at outdoor temperatures down to -30 °C. And only in exceptional cases can power engineers meet consumers halfway and allow installation of devices from other places.

Reasons for replacement

The contract for the supply of services must necessarily reflect all cases when the device needs to be replaced.

These include:

expiration of the device's service life;
malfunction of the device when it reflects inaccurate readings;
making a decision by the management company to modernize equipment, and therefore it is necessary to replace meters;
destruction of the structure of the device, as well as violation of safety regulations during its installation.

The work is carried out free of charge or at rates previously agreed upon in the service agreement.

Important! In these cases, the owner makes the replacement himself. Most often, he engages in such activities after the device fails or the end of its service life.

What can SNT management do?

In fact, the management of the partnership cannot take any legal actions aimed at forcing the installation of additional metering devices. But in practice, the following methods are most often used:

constant calls to the contact number or sending letters with demands;
power outage;
accrual of fines for the lack of external metering devices.

All of these actions are illegal. A member of the partnership has the right to apply to the court or prosecutor’s office to protect his violated rights. The issue of stopping illegal actions can be raised at a general meeting of members of the partnership.

Who should change the meter in a privatized apartment

The owners are required to carry out maintenance and ensure the safety of electricity meters in a privatized apartment. It is they who must replace the failed device and carry out installation and dismantling work at their own expense.

However, if the meter is located at the entrance, then replacement falls on the shoulders of the management organization. The cost of the work is specified in the service contract.

The supplier, an employee of the management company, independently seals the devices, takes the first readings from which the countdown begins.

Let's sum it up

Situations when the management of SNT requires the installation of meters on poles outside the premises occur quite often. The owner of the site is not obliged to follow such instructions and may refuse such actions. But if he decides to agree to the requirement, he must ensure that the installation is carried out in full compliance with current legislation and technical requirements.

Read: Can SNT exist without a chairman and who will manage?

Replacement in council housing

The Civil Code of the Russian Federation states that the owners of the premises are obliged to replace equipment in a municipal building. For example, if the apartment belongs to the local administration, then after the service life of the device has expired, they are obliged to purchase the device at their own expense and pay for its installation.

The right to residence is granted by a social tenancy agreement. In connection with this, the employer has an obligation to pay for the services provided: electricity, gas, water, heat. However, they are not required to pay for replacement, repair and maintenance of equipment. Such expenses are paid by the actual owner of the premises.

However, often management companies and energy supply organizations require payment not from the local administration, but from subscribers. Such actions are regarded as extortion and are subject to judicial review.

According to Article 539 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, the management company acts as the subscriber to the supplier. In this regard, it is she who is obliged, at her own expense, to carry out installation work to replace metering devices and purchase the device.

If employees of the management company require payment for such services, you must contact the Russian Consumer Surveillance, the Prosecutor's Office, the Housing Inspectorate and the court.

Who is entitled to a free replacement of the electric meter?

For certain categories of subscribers, meters are installed free of charge. In some regions, the right to use the benefit is granted to all elderly citizens.

For reference: residents of the capital who apply for government support in terms of timely repayment of utility bills can count on a free update of metering devices for the benefits of civilization. From 2022, St. Petersburg provides a similar privilege.

Installation of a meter can be free for the subscriber if certain circumstances occur:

the state administration ordered the commissioning of technically new devices, the use of which will have a positive impact on the procedure for accounting and payment for consumed kilowatts;
real estate is on the balance sheet of the local municipality.

Control equipment is installed free of charge if there is a document indicating the availability of the benefit.

Electric meter at the entrance

Government Decree N491 of August 13, 2006 states that electricity meters located on the staircase are classified as common property. In this regard, work on replacing meters must be carried out by employees of the management company.

Please note! They are the ones who purchase the equipment and install the device. However, in fact, they replace the devices, but charge the owners money for it. Their actions are completely legal, since payment for such work is provided for in the contract.

To avoid unnecessary costs for replacing electricity meters, you should carefully study the agreement between the owner and the management company. If it does not specify the moment of payment for such services, then management companies cannot include such work in the payment invoice.

Who carries out the work?

General meter for the house, IPU on the landing - the responsibility of the management company . But how does the law determine the requirements for installing a meter inside an apartment?

The order of work must be followed; if the regulations are violated, the owner of the property will be punished.

IMPORTANT! Such responsible work as installing an electrical power supply unit is performed only by qualified specialists.

They must have permission to perform services, and the owner of the property must provide access to the premises. The consumer can negotiate a convenient time with the craftsmen.

approved models are used for installation , therefore, if you want to select a device yourself, you need to consult with the electricians of the management company.

To carry out replacement work, you need to prepare documents for this work - an application for the installation of a new device, a resolution for replacement, a passport for the electric meter.

The application should indicate why the device is installed (reason for replacement), and the type of device chosen. The application should be submitted to representatives of the organization servicing the house or to the company supplying electricity.

ATTENTION! New IPUs are programmed in a special order; the program must be delivered by network company specialists. Permission for installation should be obtained from the same authority.

If the apartment is a communal apartment and the rooms are not privatized, the work will be performed by a service company, the service should be free .

Who should be responsible for replacing the electricity meter in a private home?

According to Government Decree N530 of August 31, 2006, the owner of a private house must independently ensure the safety of electric meters in his house. The responsibility falls on his shoulders to replace the equipment after the expiration date, if it is unsuitable or fails.

Exceptions include those cases when the house is located in the private sector owned by municipal services. In this case, the actual owners of the living space are required to replace the device in a non-privatized house.

Watch the video. When and how to change the electric meter:

Installation of a counter in an apartment building

According to Article 543 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, the service user is obliged to ensure:

safety and integrity of equipment;
fire safety of the device;
checking the technical condition of devices;
reliable information about the status of the service provider's meter;
management company, supplier with information about equipment malfunctions.

If the device belongs to another owner or the entire house, the owner or tenant of the apartment can replace the devices at his own expense. No one is depriving him of this right.

However, contradictions can be found in paragraph two of Article 543 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation. It states that if the subscriber is an individual who receives services in his own premises for general household needs, then service providers are required to maintain the equipment.

This does not mean that they are obliged to replace meters at their own expense. In part, the article states that the owner cannot make a replacement without permission without notifying the supplier.

Attention! According to Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation N491 of August 13, 2006, meters located in the entrances of apartment buildings are classified as common property. It is the management companies that are responsible for ensuring their safety, integrity and performance.

However, this does not mean that the apartment owner does not have the right to make a replacement on his own. Not at all, the management company, on the contrary, will be happy with such a request from the client. But work can only be carried out with their consent.

An electricity meter that reflects the readings of one subscriber is not recognized as common property, even if it is located outside the apartment.

Thus, if an appliance shows the energy consumption status of one particular user, the responsibility to replace the appliance falls on him.

Where should the meter be located on the street?

If you nevertheless decide to listen to the wishes of the energy supply organization or the administration of the gardening partnership and move the meter, remember that hanging it on the nearest pole will not work. There are special accommodation requirements that must be met.

So, you can install the meter in a special insulating panel on the facade of the building from the outside or on a special, free-standing support. It should be located at a height of 0.8 to 1.7 m from the ground so that the instrument readings are easily visible. In addition, you can hang the meter on a pole (light pole), but only if it is located on your property.

Remember that the requirement to place the meter off-site is illegal, since you will not be able to control the connections and condition of the device itself.

Who should install an electricity meter on the site?

Installing metering devices at your summer cottage will save you money on services. Often, when providing such buildings with light, companies charge average fees. However, the user does not spend much time at the dacha. Accordingly, it does not consume a large amount of energy. The meter will allow you to pay exactly for the light that the subscriber has consumed.

To independently connect your summer cottage to the main electricity network, you need to collect a package of papers. First of all, you need to prepare project documentation. This will take a lot of time, effort and money. However, the efforts will pay off in the future.

The owner purchases equipment and wiring independently. The work is carried out by a specialized organization that understands electrical installation. However, if the owner has the opportunity to safely connect the house to the network on his own, then no one will interfere with him.

The main thing is that after the work has been completed, invite an employee of the company providing the service to seal the meter and take initial readings.

New equipment must be connected to the network in the electrical panel by a person who has qualifications, specialization and documents confirming this. He must be on the staff of one of the companies providing such services. Otherwise, the connection is considered illegal.

It is better to call a specialist who works for the company providing the service. He will simultaneously connect the house to the main network, seal the meter and give permission to use the light.

If the citizen agrees with the installation of the meter

If a person nevertheless agrees to install a metering device, he should ensure that the procedure is carried out in full compliance with current standards. So, it is recommended :

check the reliability of the pole on which the device will be fixed;
clarify who will have access to the metering device. Ideally, it should be in a box, the key to which will be held by a limited number of people;
choose a metering device that, according to its technical parameters, is suitable for placement on the street;
check that installation is carried out by a qualified authorized person, and sealing is carried out by a representative of the energy supplier.

Failure to comply with these recommendations may lead to a number of negative consequences, such as subsequent discrepancies in accounting, malfunctions of the device, and so on.

Procedure for replacement

Important! If you need to replace an electricity meter, you must follow several rules:

obtaining permission to replace the device from the management company or energy supply organization;
obtaining a certificate about the need to replace the device, with which the owner purchases the meter in the store;
choosing the device that is suitable for servicing a given house (information is provided by the management company or energy sales company);
obtaining permission to remove the seal from the old metering device;
turning to the services of an electrician of at least third category to carry out the work (often you can contact the organization providing the service, they will send their person);
dismantling old equipment;
installation of a new meter;
sealing, taking primary readings.

After dismantling the old device, it must be kept for verification by an employee of the supplying company.

If it is necessary to replace equipment at the initiative of the energy supply organization, a notice is sent to the subscriber with a request to carry out the work.

Features of self-installation of an electric meter

If residents of an ordinary or communal apartment decide to independently install a new meter inside their living space, they must fulfill a number of mandatory requirements:

Only certain meter models are used for accounting; this issue needs to be clarified with the management company. The price of the device depends on the model; all purchase costs are borne by the consumer.
After installation, you should definitely invite a representative of the management company or Energosbyt. He must seal the device, put it into operation, and draw up a commissioning report indicating the initial indicators.
You can find out exactly how much electricity costs and how to calculate payments based on indicators.

ATTENTION! Based on the commissioning certificate, an agreement is drawn up with the electricity supplier. This document regulates issues of maintenance, inspections, and replacement.

Meter check and sealing

After installation of new equipment, the subscriber must invite an employee of his service provider to seal and take meter readings. Only after this can you pay for light according to consumption.

Until the information is sealed and accepted for accounting, the owner pays for the service according to average indicators using increase factors.

For the first thirty days, the amount payable is calculated without applying increasing factors.

You can find out the cost of the service by phone, giving the home address and full name of the user.