Page last updated on 16th March 2026
If you rent a property, and the bills are in your name, then it's your choice to request a smart meter!
It is recommended you let your landlord know.
Benefits of smart meters for renters
Be more energy efficient
With the in-home display, a smart meter could help you to use energy more efficiently and identify places where you're wasting energy.
Access to energy reward schemes
Smart meters allow renters to access energy reward schemes which encourage and reward customers for using energy at different times of the day. Check your energy supplier's app or website to see which schemes they are running.
Get more control
Requesting a smart meter is one simple step you can take as a renter to feel more in control of your space and your energy bills.
Frequently asked questions for renters
Do I need the landlord’s permission for a smart meter?
If your energy bill is in your name, it's your choice to have a smart meter installed.
If your lease says that you need your landlord’s permission to change the meter, Ofgem, the energy regulator, says they shouldn’t unreasonably prevent this.
It is recommended that you let your landlord know before you make the change. To help, there are some handy templates below that you can use to notify your landlord of your plans to get a smart meter.
Can I get a smart meter if I'm on prepay?
Yes! Renters who prepay for their energy can get a smart meter.
There are lots of benefits with smart prepay compared to traditional prepayment meters (or key meters). If you rent and prepay for your energy, having a smart meter means:
- You can top-up online, on the go or at home
- Government or energy supplier support can be added to the meter automatically, without needing a voucher through the post
My landlord pays the energy bills. Can I get a smart meter in a rented property?
If your landlord pays the energy bills for your home, it’s their decision on whether or not to install a smart meter – but it is worth asking. Our research in 2022 found that 72% of landlords would agree to get a smart meter installed, and a quarter had installed one themselves in a rental property*.
I rent in a block of flats, can I get a smart meter?
Where you live, the type of home you live in, and the age and type of your existing meter may mean that your energy supplier will take a little longer to get your smart meter to you. Contact your supplier to find out if a smart meter is suitable for your property.
What happens when I move out of my rented home?
After you move out, you leave your IHD in the property, as it will be connected to that property’s smart meter – you can always request that your supplier install a smart meter in your next property if there isn’t one installed there.
What are some other changes I can make to save energy in my rented home?
Having a smart meter can help you spot places where you could make low or no-cost changes to your home to save energy, and you can use it to keep track of the difference it makes to your bills.
Some of these changes are:
- Using draught excluders on windows and doors to keep the warmth in
- Fitting reflectors behind radiators on external walls
- Reducing the temperature on your thermostat by just one degree can help lower your energy bills without sacrificing comfort
Energy Saving Trust also has a handy guide for renters.
If you are struggling with your energy bills, help is available.
Request your smart meter
If you haven’t already got a smart meter you can request one from your energy supplier below:
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*1Opinium Research for Smart Energy GB, private renters study Oct 2022.
Campaign messaging: 87% of 696 renters with a smart meter would get one again, survey conducted by Opinium, October 2023.