Households eligible to receive compensation for smart meter delays
Don't Pay UK hold protest outside Ofgem office in Canary Wharf
Ofgem has unveiled proposals to allow households to claim £40 compensation for delays in smart meter installations or unresolved faults.
Consumers will be eligible for compensation if a smart meter installation takes longer than six weeks or if a faulty meter is not fixed within 90 days.
The initiative is part of a broader crackdown on malfunctioning smart meters, with an estimated one in five currently faulty or operating in 'dumb' mode.
The new rules, which will also cover micro-businesses, are set to come into effect from early 2026 and aim to incentivise suppliers to improve service standards.
Energy experts, including Martin Lewis and Uswitch, have welcomed the proposals, emphasising the importance of building consumer confidence in smart meter technology.