What is meter rent?
Meter rent is a monthly charge for a meter that the discom owns and installed. Also called meter hire, meter charges, metering charge.
- Plain English
- Official sources
- Bill terms A–Z
Meter rent on your bill
The Electricity Act lets a discom charge rent for a meter it provides.
The bill shows a small fixed amount each month. It depends on the meter type.
Example (Kerala): Rs 6 a month for a single-phase meter. A two-month bill shows Rs 12.
Some states charge no rent for prepaid meters or consumer-owned meters. Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are examples.
If you bought your own meter, ask the discom to stop the rent.
Official sources
- Electricity Act, 2003 (as amended; copy hosted by the Tripura High Court), s.45(3)(b)
“a rent or other charges in respect of any electric meter or electrical plant provided by the distribution licensee.” - KSERC Schedule of Tariff and Terms and Conditions for Retail Supply, Order No. 427/D(T)/2023/KSERC, 05-12-2024 (effective to 31-03-2027), Part D heading, p.34
“Meter rent to be levied from the consumers.” - CSERC Tariff Schedule for FY 2026-27 (CSPDCL tariff order, 24-06-2026), s.1.1.10 item 10
“Meter hire shall be charged as per the schedule of miscellaneous charges”
Read on 17 October 2026. Your State regulator’s rules and your discom’s bill have the final word.