VIC: Q&A Embedded Networks, Common Power & Smart Meters

This article discusses embedded networks and smart meters for VIC owners corporations.

Table of Contents:

• QUESTION: We recently ran an extension cord from a common property power point to light up our car space. I’ve been reported for stealing power. Really!


• QUESTION: Our strata townhouse in Victoria is in an estate with a central pool/gym building facility that also houses the estates meters. In Vic, how do I know if smart meters have been installed?

Question: We recently ran an extension cord from a common property power point to light up our car space. I’ve been reported for stealing power. Really!

My partner and I are renting a ground floor apartment in Melbourne. I recently carried out some maintenance work to my car in our designated basement car space. To illuminate the area, I ran an extension cable to a common property power point for a short period of time. 

A resident reported this to the Owners Corporation and the Owners Corporation emailed my real estate agent outlining that I was committing theft by using the common property power.

What are the rules and regulations around residents using common area power points and electricity? Did I commit a crime?

Answer: Requesting permission from the committee before utilising the OC power supply is a good idea that may avoid future tensions or nasty messages from rental agents.

Interesting situation! Generally speaking, if you wanted to use anyone else’s electricity that was not your own (in any setting), surely you would agree that it would be polite to simply request permission first? And doing so may result in avoiding being accused of “committing theft” in the agent’s words. In saying that, if you have indeed used the common supply without seeking permission I can understand why some may be upset at this.

So let’s just agree that moving forward, requesting permission from the committee before utilising the OC power supply is a good idea that may avoid future tensions or nasty messages from rental agents.

With all of this in mind, let’s quickly look at what it might cost if someone wanted to run a halogen light bulb from common power. According to commercial lighting supplier LEDified, running a 50W Halogen Bulb for 8 hours at a rate of $0.30 per KWH will come to an almighty $0.12. Yes, you read that right! 12 cents. Far from sheep stations.

If it were me wanting to do the same on a recurring or regular basis, I would request permission and would offer to tip in $10.00 for the annual OC Christmas party fund which, based on my calculations, would forward fund around 666.666 hours of electricity consumption (devils in the detail!).

It is also important to mention, you must also respect its position if the Owners Corporation decides for whatever reason that it does not wish (or is not comfortable) allowing you to utilise its common electricity supply. There may be legitimate concerns around a third party using the supply with, for example, items that have not been tested and tagged, which has the potential to open up a can of liability worms for the Owners Corporation if something were to go wrong.

I hope you found this response energising and illuminating.

Deryck Walker SMTI deryck.walker@smti.com.au

This post appears in the December 2021 edition of The VIC Strata Magazine.

Question: Our strata townhouse in Victoria is in an estate with a central pool/gym building facility that also houses the estates meters. In Vic, how do I know if smart meters have been installed?

Answer: It should be on your electricity invoice

There are a few ways to answer the question of “how do I know if smart meters have been installed?” assuming the smart meter is for recording electricity consumption.

1. The short answer is that it should be on your electricity invoice! Under the Energy Retail Code Version 20 a retailer must prepare an invoice which includes certain information. This includes the following surrounding “smart meters”:

   Energy Retail Code Version 20, Part 2, Division 4, Clause 25, (1), (y):
   
   25. if a customer’s bill is derived from interval data from a smart meter:
       
       1. the index read at the end of the billing period; and
       2. the index read at the start of the billing period; and
       3. the actual tariffs; and
       4. the total amount of electricity (in kWh) consumed in each period or class of period in respect of which a relevant tariff applies to a customer;
   
   

   Therefore, if your invoice has an “index read”, “start index”, “end index” or similar for the start and end of the billing period you have a smart meter. That said, I have seen retailers that do not comply with this requirement.



2. Another way to find out if you have a smart meter is if your invoice states “Meter Type = Interval”.


3. Alternatively, you could call your retailer and ask what type of meter is installed for your property.


4. If you are an owner at the property the electricity metering is likely part of, or on, the Common Property. Therefore you should have rights to view that area of the estate. Note: if you do get access be very careful and do not touch anything.

For those that live in private electricity networks, known as an Embedded Network, the above “index reads” on invoices are required.

James Pearce ENM Solutions E: James@ENMSolutions.com.au P: 1300 000 366

This post appears in the June 2021 edition of The VIC Strata Magazine.

Have a question or something to add to the article? Leave a comment below.

Embed

Read Next:

• VIC: Q&A Embedded Networks, Common Power & Smart Meters
• Vic gov’t proposes additions to apartment standards guidelines

Visit Apartment Living Sustainability OR Strata Title Information Victoria.

Are you not sure about some of the strata terms used in this article? Take a look at our NSW Strata Glossary to help with your understanding.

After a free PDF of this article? Log into your existing LookUpStrata Account to download the printable file. Not a member? Simple – join for free on our Registration page.