Crimestoppers’ figures reveal that there have already been 6,058 reports on suspicions of energy theft so far this year (January – June 2024).

Stay Energy Safe, a service powered by the charity Crimestoppers, has delved into the issue of energy theft in rental properties and provided advice for landlords to tackle this issue. 

Why are tenants stealing energy? With rising living costs, some see energy theft as a clever and quick fix to cut their utility bills. Others fall prey to criminal gangs offering to rewire or switch meters for a fee. 

Energy theft is also a problem because of illegal operations like cannabis farms. On average, these farms consume 12,000 kWh of electricity monthly** (four times what the average household uses in a year). Tenants growing cannabis steal electricity to avoid suspiciously large bills and detection.

A spokesperson from Stay Energy Safe says: “As a landlord, vigilant inspections of your property are vital to prevent energy theft. Watch for obscured, reversed, or static numbers on the meter. Also, keep an eye out for unusual or loose wiring, burn marks, noise around the meter, pipes bypassing the meter, or any signs of overheating or the smell of gas near the meter. 

“Other red flags include sparks from sockets, electric shocks from appliances, inaccessible meters, unusual gas flames, or a perpetually credit-filled prepayment meter. Be alert to suspicious tenant behaviours such as significant upfront rent payments as this could be a warning sign that something illegal is happening within the property.”

The experts at Stay Energy Safe have highlighted the legal obligations and regulations for a landlord with regards to energy meters, which help to prevent energy theft from happening: 

1. Arranging regular energy inspections

Gas safety inspections should be carried out every 12 months and electrical inspections should be carried out at least every five years. Be sure to get a qualified electrician to inspect the property and issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for electrical inspections, and be sure that your gas safety inspection is only performed by a qualified and registered Gas Safe engineer.  

EPC regulations also require that the property has an energy efficiency certificate every ten years. Every UK rental property must have these mandatory checks, making them the golden opportunity to look for signs of energy theft. 

2. Maintaining energy meters

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 mandates that landlords maintain the supply of essential utilities, including water, gas, and electricity, and ensure these utilities are safe and functional. 

If you as the landlord pay the energy bills, it is your responsibility to contact the supplier if you think the electric and gas meters are faulty or damaged and to arrange timely repairs and replacements when needed. 

3. Consider installing smart meters

Smart meters provide real-time data on energy consumption and can detect unusual patterns that might indicate tampering and other signs of energy theft. 

As a landlord, you can refuse to have a smart meter fitted, but only if you, the landlord, pay the energy bills. However, if your supplier is replacing a meter or installing a meter for the first time, they will need to install a smart meter, unless there is a good reason not to. 

4. Tenancy clauses 

Ensuring that there is a clause in your tenancy agreement that explicitly forbids interfering with the energy supply is essential. This way, you can start Section 8 eviction proceedings under Ground 12, which can be used when a tenant breaches the agreement, if you find your tenant to be committing energy theft.

If you think that the meter in your rental property is being tampered with, contact the Stay Energy Safe team, anonymously, in order to keep your tenants and property safe. You can also call the Stay Energy Safe line on 0800 023 2777.