RTS meter switch-off: what landlords need to do if a property still has one
The Radio Teleswitch Service, the radio signal that told older electricity meters when to switch between peak and off-peak rates, was fully switched off on 30 June 2026. If a rented property still has one of these meters, this is not a distant deadline - the signal is already gone, and heating and hot water can start behaving unpredictably from the day it stops. This guide explains what an RTS meter is and what a landlord needs to do about it now.
What is an RTS meter, and why does it matter now
RTS meters date back to the 1980s and were built for households on Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariffs, typically homes with electric storage heaters, panel heaters or an immersion heater doing the work a gas boiler would do elsewhere. The radio signal told the meter when to switch from the cheap overnight rate to the daytime rate, and back again.
That signal has now gone for good. The phase-out began on 30 June 2025 and ran as a managed, region-by-region rollout rather than a single national cut-off, reaching full completion on 30 June 2026. Any RTS meter not yet exchanged for a smart meter will no longer receive switching instructions - heating and hot water can get stuck permanently on or off, or storage heaters can start charging at the wrong time of day. Because the meter can no longer confirm when electricity was actually used, bills can come out higher than they should too.
How to tell if a property still has one
Ofgem's guidance points to a few tell-tale signs worth checking across a portfolio, especially on older or off-gas-grid properties:
- A separate switch box labelled Radio Teleswitch mounted near the electricity meter.
- The property is heated mainly by storage heaters, panel heaters, or an immersion heater for hot water rather than a gas boiler.
- There is no mains gas supply to the property at all - common in rural areas, some conversions, and certain high-rise blocks.
- The account is on an Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariff.
If none of that rings a bell but you're still not sure, the electricity supplier can confirm the meter type directly - it is worth asking rather than assuming a property is unaffected.
Why this lands on the landlord, not just the supplier
The exchange itself is the electricity supplier's job, carried out free of charge. But the meter sits on a fixed installation that belongs to the property, and under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 a landlord must keep the installations for space and water heating in working order. A meter fault that leaves a tenant with no heating, or hot water that only runs at random times, is a live disrepair complaint. Persistent excess cold is also a recognised HHSRS hazard under the same framework behind the new Decent Homes Standard, so it is worth treating this as a habitability issue, not an administrative one.
Whoever's name is on the electricity account is who the supplier will contact - the landlord in an HMO or bills-included let, or the tenant in most standard tenancies. Either way, someone still needs to book the appointment and let an engineer in.
What to do now
- Check every property against the signs above, prioritising older, off-gas-grid or storage-heated homes first.
- Contact the electricity supplier directly - the account holder needs to make the call - and ask for a smart meter exchange appointment.
- Use a void period if you have one coming up, the easiest window to get an engineer in without disrupting anyone.
- If a supplier previously said no replacement was possible, call back - Ofgem confirms a workable option now exists everywhere.
| Situation | What the landlord should do |
|---|---|
| Landlord pays the electricity bill (HMO, bills-included let, or void property) | Contact the supplier directly and book the meter exchange yourself. |
| Tenant pays the bill, property is occupied | Ask the tenant to check the meter and either arrange the appointment or share the supplier's response so you can help chase it. |
| Property is empty between tenancies | Book the exchange during the void - no tenant schedule to work around. |
| Tenant is vulnerable or needs extra support | Say so when you contact the supplier - they must offer priority handling for this exact situation. |
Keep every compliance date in one place
Our Complete Landlord Pack includes a Landlord Compliance Calendar alongside the tenancy agreement and notice templates, so dates and follow-ups like a meter exchange do not get lost in the day-to-day.
See the Complete Landlord Pack →Frequently asked questions
What is an RTS meter? An RTS (Radio Teleswitch Service) meter is an older electricity meter that used a radio signal to switch between peak and off-peak rates, commonly found on Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariffs and in properties heated with storage heaters or immersion heaters.
Has the RTS switch-off already happened? Yes. The phase-out began on 30 June 2025 and was completed on 30 June 2026, once every remaining RTS meter had been moved across in a managed, region-by-region rollout.
How do I find out if a rental property still has an RTS meter? Look for a separate switch box labelled Radio Teleswitch near the meter, check whether the property is heated by storage or panel heaters, has no gas supply, or is on an Economy 7, Economy 10 or Total Heat Total Control tariff. If you are unsure, the electricity supplier can confirm it for you.
Am I legally responsible for replacing an old RTS meter? The electricity supplier is responsible for carrying out the replacement free of charge. But as the landlord you own the fixed heating and hot water installation, and Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires you to keep it in working order - so a meter fault that leaves a tenant without proper heating can still become your problem to fix.
This guide is general information for landlords in England, not legal advice for your specific circumstances. Contact your electricity supplier to check any individual property, and seek professional advice if a tenant's heating or hot water is affected.