Over 300,000 tenant could be left with no heating or hot water on 30th June 2025

Landlords: Urgent Action Needed 

RTS Meters Must Be Replaced Before June 2025

If you’re a landlord with rental properties still using older electricity meters, time is running out. From 30 June 2025, the Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) will be permanently switched off, and failure to act now could leave your tenants without heating or hot water — and you potentially in breach of your legal obligations.

This is not a drill. RTS meters will stop functioning correctly after this date, and with an estimated 600,000 still in use across the UK, 300,000 of these estimated to be in the Private Rented Sector, the time to act is immediately.

What’s the problem?
RTS meters, common in homes with electric storage heaters and off-peak tariffs like Economy 7 or Economy 10, rely on radio signals to switch between day and night rates. After 30 June 2025, these signals will be gone. 

That means:

• Tenants may lose heating and hot water
• Energy bills could spike unexpectedly
• Landlords risk legal non-compliance under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Landlords must provide essential services such as heating and hot water. If an RTS meter failure leaves a tenant without these, it could result in legal disputes or even penalties.)

This change will not happen gradually — it’s a hard cut-off. If you haven’t already replaced RTS meters, there is now a limited window to avoid major disruption.

Why landlords must act NOW

Every day you delay increases the risk of:

• Long wait times for meter upgrades, as demand surges near the deadline
• Tenants experiencing service interruptions
• Legal disputes if vital utilities fail due to outdated metering

Step 1: Identify RTS meters in your properties

Don’t assume tenants or agents will flag this for you. As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to check:

• Look for serial numbers that begin with RTS or mention Economy 7/10
• Check for a black radio switch box near the meter
• Contact the energy supplier directly to confirm if the meter needs replacing

If you're unsure, book a property inspection — inventory clerks can identify RTS meters and provide photo evidence, allowing you to act fast.

Step 2: Contact tenants and energy suppliers immediately

Once you've identified an RTS meter:

• Notify your tenants and explain the importance of replacing it
• Contact the energy supplier without delay to arrange a free smart meter upgrade
• Schedule the installation well ahead of the June 2025 deadline

Smart meters not only resolve the RTS issue but also offer:

• Accurate, real-time billing
• Better tariff management for Economy 7/10 users
• Increased energy awareness for tenants
• Independence from radio signals

Step 3: Use inspections to stay ahead

Professional inventory providers can help by:

• Identifying RTS meters during routine property visits
• Documenting meter status with photos and notes
• Alerting you early to any necessary upgrades

This proactive approach gives you a paper trail proving due diligence — which is especially valuable if problems arise later.

Final Warning: Don’t Leave It to the Last Minute

The RTS shutdown is a fixed national deadline. If you don’t act soon, you may not get an installation slot in time — and it’s your tenants who’ll suffer the consequences.

✔ Avoid heating outages
✔ Protect yourself from legal penalties
✔ Maintain your reputation as a responsible landlord

Act now. 

• Contact your tenants. 
• Call the energy supplier. 
• Book inspections.

Because come 30 June 2025, waiting will no longer be an option.