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kerin111 · Jun 20, 2015, 01:21 PM

Hello,
Consider a building with 3 dwelling units, and some common space (laundry room and stairwell.) There are currently 3 meters, the laundry/stairwell/outdoor power connected to house meter. Each smaller unit has its own meter. Is there anything unsafe about this situation? Does adding a 4th meter just clarify electric bills, or is it possible something is tapped or connected in a dangerous manner?

Thank you

stanfortyman · Jun 20, 2015, 01:48 PM

Well, since we can't see how anything is wired there is definitely no way to tell if anything is dangerous or unsafe. You would only need a landlord meter if all three units are being rented. If one unit is going to be an owner's space then all the shared items must be on that meter.

kerin111 · Jun 20, 2015, 01:54 PM

Thank you stan,
Disregarding the wiring that you can't see, what does "need" a landlord meter mean? If you don't have one, is there a consequence besides messy electric bills?

donf · Jun 20, 2015, 02:56 PM

Each dwelling unit requires its own meter.

All common areas must be on a separate meter, however, if the landlord is permanently occupying one of the dwelling units, then the common areas and the landlord's dwelling can be on one meter.

It not just about billing, it is more about safety.

kerin111 · Jun 20, 2015, 03:11 PM

Thank you Don,Can you explain why it's a safety concern for common power to be connected to a tenant, but not a safety concern to be connected to the landlord?

donf · Jun 20, 2015, 04:13 PM

The safety issue is being able to completely remove power, for instance a fire. All the meters could be killed at one time. Also, billing is an issue. One other little detail, is that the NEC requires the separate meters.

If the landlord is not a resident, then all common areas must be on a separate meter.

stanfortyman · Jun 21, 2015, 06:26 AM

I don't see any real safety issues, unless the wiring is crossed between units. Like some things inside the unit are wired from other panels. Then you have the issue if someone who is not exactly a professional comes into do do work and doesn't check for power before they do something. Then again, that is just as much their own fault. In a fire situation the point is kind of moot. They'll kill everything so it really doesn't matter what's on what.

Don, can you point me to the NEC article that says rental spaces must have their own meters? All I can find is where tenants must have access to their circuit breakers/fuses.

Originally Posted by kerin111

Thank you stan,
Disregarding the wiring that you can't see, what does "need" a landlord meter mean? If you don't have one, is there a consequence besides messy electric bills?

The consequence is not about messy bills. It's a legal issue of having common space loads on a tenant meter. This is highly illegal in most states.

kerin111 · Jun 21, 2015, 02:53 PM

Hello,
I'm trying to track down the code that refers to number of electrical meters required for multi-unit buildings. Is a "landlord" meter required in addition to 1 per unit? Please refer to the numbers and exact phrasing, if possible. Thanks so much

hfcarson · Jun 22, 2015, 04:48 AM

How about telling us why you are asking this question? Give us details about this "multi-unit" building, is it residential? Commercial? Industrial? Rentals? Apartments?
Strip stores?
Not every building with multiple tenants is "required" to have separate meters...
Not every building with a landlord is "required" to have a separate landlord meter...
Again, please be specific and give details so we can also.