A prepaid meter is a device that helps the user control & regulate the usage of electricity or water. It works much like a prepaid cellphone whereby you pay upfront before you use it, therefore eliminating large unexpected monthly bills.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Installation and Activation information
-
What is a prepaid meter?
-
What are the benefits of a prepaid meter?
Landlords ensure that tenants are paying for electricity or water before consuming it and will not be lumped with large unpaid bills at the end of the lease. Easily resolve disputes on the amount of electricity or water consumed.Tenants can monitor their consumption by checking the easy-to-read meter and adjust their consumption accordingly.
-
What will happen to my main meter?
You cannot replace an Eskom/ Municipal meter with an Eligugu Prepaid sub-meter it is installed as a secondary meter downstream from the main meter.
-
How to activate my meter?
After the meter is installed, or upon buying it you are provided with the registration form, the next step is to register it on the Eligugu Smart Prepaid management/vending System. Only when it is registered and we have all your required details will the meter be able to accept tokens and provide the end user with access to electricity and/or water. You can complete our registration form, scan and send it for registration to metering@eligugu.co.za or WhatsApp 063 036 6604.
-
What is STS
STS stands for Standard Transfer Specification. This standard provides compatibility between certified STS compliant electricity dispensers and vending systems in the electricity dispensing industry to the benefit of the customer, distributor, and agent. The standard was an initiative by Eskom in 1993 to address social, political, and economic needs in South Africa after the introduction of prepayment metering in 1989. The STS Association acts as the custodian of the STS and ensures the integrity of the open systems standard, as well as the quality of the supporting infrastructure, facilitates and services.
-
How do I choose the right prepaid meter ?
As a property owner you want to make sure you understand what sort of prepaid electricity or water meter to purchase. It’s always a good idea to talk to your qualified electrician or plumber who should be able to advise you.
-
What is the cost involved in installing a prepaid meter?
When it comes to prepaid meter installation costs, there are only two initial upfront costs and that is the purchasing of the meters from a preferred Eligugu Prepaid retailer and the meter installation costs by a certified electrician or plumber. It is important to note that we do not charge connection fees.
-
My submeter does not work? What now
You must report the problem to Eligugu by contact our call centre at 011 074 1112 or emailing us at metering@eligugu.co.za
-
Why do you need a tariff?
According to the Rental Housing Act, a landlord cannot make a profit on the provision of utilities. We need to verify that the tariff is set correctly so that the landlord does not over-or under recover, and that tenants don’t pay too much or too little.
-
Can landlords set their own tariff?
Eligugu Metering basis its tariff on municipal (or Eskom) tariffs. On instruction from the Property Owner/Landlord we can change tariff. You can do this by downloading our Change in Tariff form from our website at www.eligugu.co.za, fill it and send it using the options on the form
-
Can I charge for common area usage e.g. outside lights?
YES, you can. Contact our help desk on 011 074 1112/4 or emails us at metering@eligugu.co.za about including this in your tariff. You will be advised to fill our Change in Tariff Form. Tariffs can be adjusted from time to time to recover the actual usage
-
How can I update my changed banking details?
You would need to call us on 011 074 1112 or emails us at metering@eligugu.co.za to request a banking detail change form, or you can download the form from our website at www.eligugu.co.za. Original banking details of the previous owner (or of your old account) and banking details of the new owner (or your new account) must be included too. Once you have filled it in and sent it back to the call center, we will verify that all the details are correct, and if so, update our system with your new details.
-
How do I change ownership?
You would need to call us on 011 074 1112/4 or emails us at metering@eligugu.co.za to request a change in ownership form or you can download the form from our website at www.eligugu.co.za. ID/Passports copies of previous owner and new owner as well as a deed of transfer/letter of authority must also be sent in along with the completed form. Once you have filled it in and sent it back to the call centre, we will verify that all the details are correct, and if so, update our system with your new details.
-
How do I switch to Eligugu Metering
Step One :Contact your current service provider and inform them that you would like to switch and request a key change. Your service provider may charge you for this, and you will need to pay them directly. Once you have successfully paid for the key change, your service provider will give you a key change token. Keep this safe! – The next step is to contact Eligugu metering on the same day!
Step Two : Call Eligugu Metering on 011 074 1112/4 or email metering@eligugu.co.za and let us know you are switching to us. Our friendly call centre will talk you through the switching process. Once your details have been captured and confirmed, we will provide you with a second key change token
Step Three : Punch in your first key change number (from the previous service provide) into your meter and then punch in your second key change number (from Eligugu Metering) into the meter. -
Does Eligugu Metering pay my account with the city council /Eskom
NO, Eligugu Prepaid does NOT pay the council or Eskom bill Eligugu Metering collects the token receipts from the tenants for their usage and pays this money to the property owners so that they may top up their council prepaid meter or pay their credit account with the council or Eskom.
-
When and how are property owners paid?
Eligugu Metering transfers all recovered utility costs to the property owners into their registered bank account by the 3rd working day of each month. The property owner is then responsible for settling all accounts with their electricity and water providers.
-
What happens to the meter if I sell my property?
As a fixture the meter will transfer to the new owner unless the parties agree otherwise. The new owner must contact our Help Desk on 011 074 1112/4 immediately after transfer to arrange the transfer of the prepaid meter to their name.
-
How to buy token?
Tokens can be purchased in multiple ways, including both in stores and online. Online via banking Apps Or the special Eligugu App.
-
What is the cheapest way to buy token
The cheapest way to purchase tokens is via the Eligugu App, because there is a 0% convenience fee. Simply download and register on our app in order to purchase tokens online wherever you are.
-
How you receive your token
Tokens purchased over the Eligugu App are available to customers either via SMS, email or displayed directly on the screen of you device. Tokens purchased from Easypay or Cigicell stores will provide you with the 20 digit token number which can be keyed directly into your meter. UniPin vouchers (Cigicell) will require that you SMS your voucher number to the number provided, whereafter your token will be sent to you via SMS.
-
What happens if my token gets lost?
If you lose a token, you can SMS/WhatsApp your meter number to063 036 6604 for the most recent token to be sent back to your cell phone, or contact our call centre on 011 074 1112.