Utility Meter Tracking: The End of Paper-Slip Readings

The annual utility statement, handing the flat over to a new tenant, a dispute over a suspiciously high bill - in all three situations, meter readings decide the outcome. Without your own records you are defenceless: it's one word against another. And that scrap of paper with January's numbers? Long gone, just like the spreadsheet you promised yourself you'd keep up to date. That's why we've added utility meter tracking to Rential - electricity, water and gas meters in one place, with a consumption chart and a reminder so you never miss a reading.

Why keep records of readings at all

The most common reason is the annual settlement. If the tenant changes during the year, you need to know how much each of them consumed - otherwise there is no fair way to split any underpayment.

The second reason is the handover of the flat. Meter readings on the day of handover belong in the handover protocol; they determine what the old tenant still pays for and where the new one takes over.

And finally, disputes over consumption. Every landlord has heard "there's no way I used that much". With a monthly series of readings you can show in black and white exactly when consumption jumped. Without it, you have nothing to stand on.

What to track: electricity, water and gas meters

For each meter, note down its identifier as well as the readings - you will need it when dealing with the supplier and when transferring utility contracts:

• Electricity meter - the EAN code of the supply point (an 18-digit number, found on the invoice or in the supply contract)
• Gas meter - the EIC code of the supply point (a combination of digits and letters, also on the invoice)
• Water meter - the serial number stamped directly on the meter

Keep in mind that one property can have several meters: a flat with a separately metered garage means two electricity meters, hot and cold water mean two water meters. That's why in Rential you can add any number of meters to a property.

How Rential does it

For each property you add its meters - pick the type, enter the identifier and the initial reading. From then on, you just record the current value once a month; it takes a few seconds.

The app calculates consumption from the readings and draws a chart - you can switch between the last 6 months, the last year, or the entire history. The complete reading history sits below the chart, with a filter by year, so the data for the annual settlement is two clicks away.

And if you forget a reading? Rential sends you an e-mail reminder. No more discovering at the end of the year that there is a six-month hole in your data.

Tip: always take readings on the 1st of the month

Be consistent - ideally take readings on the first day of each month. Only then are the months comparable and the consumption chart meaningful. And at handover, take a photo of the meter and save it as an attachment to the property in Rential - if a dispute ever arises, you have the reading and the date in black and white.

Meter tracking is part of Rential for all landlords. Create a free account and add your first meter today - the first reading takes a minute.