Martin Lewis Clarifies New 90-Day Energy Meter Compensation Rule
Financial expert Martin Lewis has detailed new Government regulations for energy providers, following a review of smart meter problems affecting households across the UK. One key rule could result in customers receiving compensation for issues stemming from their smart meters.
Widespread Smart Meter Issues Prompt Regulatory Action
The MoneySavingExpert (MSE) team, led by Lewis, discovered that three out of five Britons who reported a smart meter problem to their energy supplier waited over three months for a resolution. Errors in the automatic meter reading process can lead to potentially higher bills for consumers, highlighting the urgency of addressing these malfunctions.
Citizens Advice strongly recommends that individuals contact their energy supplier immediately if their smart meter is not working correctly. Starting in early May 2026, new regulations will mandate that suppliers repair faulty meters within 90 days or face financial penalties.
Compensation and Consumer Rights Under the New Plan
Under the updated standards, customers may be entitled to £40 in compensation if a reported issue is not fixed within the specified timeframe, as reported by the Express. On the MSE website, Martin Lewis expressed his views on the development.
"Broken smart meters were high on our list of issues we put to the Government when it came into power, so it is good to see some progress," Lewis stated. "Far too many smart meters, likely one in five, do not work as they should—a problem not just for all the homes with broken ones, but for the smart meter rollout overall."
He emphasized that with numerous dissatisfied customers, negative word-of-mouth can deter others from adopting smart meters, undermining national efforts.
Focus on Prompt Repairs and Consumer Charter
"We need to shift firms' focus from just installing smart meters to promptly fixing those that are broken—not just meters that go into dumb mode, but crucially all elements, including in-home displays that stop working," Lewis explained. "That is the aim of this plan, and while it is taking a softer approach than we proposed, it is an improvement, and we will be monitoring to see if it delivers."
Lewis also welcomed the Government's adoption of a Consumer Charter suggestion, which will provide clear rights and timelines for consumers. "I am also happy the Government has taken up our suggestion of a Consumer Charter, giving people definite rights and timetabling, and I look forward to working with them to make sure consumers understand it when it launches," he added.
This regulatory update aims to enhance accountability among energy suppliers and ensure timely resolutions for smart meter issues, ultimately protecting consumers from prolonged disruptions and unfair billing practices.
