Do lot owners need permission before replacing their meter? What legal implications or recommended steps should the owners corporation take if this has occurred?
The owners corporation does not own the electricity meters.
The owners corporation does not own the electricity meters. They are owned by accredited meter providers from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). Assuming the old meter was replaced with a new meter taking up the same footprint, and there were no modifications to the common property meter board, we do not believe the lot owner needed permission to change the old meter to a new smart meter.
In many cases, the meter replacement is initiated by the customers' energy retailer or the local energy distributor (e.g. in NSW, this is Ausgrid, Endeavor Energy or Essential Energy) due to regulated meter replacement programmes such as ageing or meter family type failures.
Assuming the above was applicable, and no modifications to common property occurred, site unseen, we do not believe the owner's corporation is obliged to take any action.
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Joseph Arena is the founder of Embedded Network Arena and Managing Director of Arena Energy Consulting. With more than 20 years' experience in the Australian energy sector, including over 15 years focused on embedded networks, Joseph advises Owners Corporations, Body Corporates, strata committees and strata managers on embedded networks and emerging energy technologies. An independent consultant, Joseph has extensive expertise across embedded electricity, hot water, gas, air conditioning and electric vehicle charging networks. He has led numerous embedded network reviews, contract audits and tender processes across Australia. Embedded Network Arena is a member of the Strata Community Association and the Owners Corporation Network of Australia. Joseph is also a regular presenter at industry events, webinars and forums on embedded networks, consumer outcomes and energy reform.
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