u/freakoutwithme

This is my previous post, for context:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AusRenters/comments/1t168np/no_access_to_meter_room_how_do_i_resolve_this/

The repair guy managed to obtain the keys to the meter room from Strata, but then he called me to tell me that there is another locked door in the meter room and he needs the key to that. I just gave him the entire bunch of keys that I was provided, but none of them fit this lock. And he was supposedly told by strata that they can provide keys to the meter room but they have no idea who has the keys to these meter boxes inside the meter room. He just left, and marked it as 'locked premises' just like before.

I took a picture of the locked meter box, circled the faulty meter for the unit I am renting and the lock, and sent an email to the real estate agent, practically begging and pleading to get this resolved through the landlord because I have been threatened with a disconnection and no one knows who has these keys. I haven't heard back from them for a few days now, and when I call them, I am just told that the property manager will call me back, but he never calls. I contacted the electricity company, but they said that since I am the customer, they have no other point of contact so it is up to me sort out access issues. I tried asking a couple of neighbours, but they have no idea about the key for this meter box.

I was informed by the electricity company that my supply would be disconnected if they are unable to read the meter for three consecutive months, so if they go by that, then the disconnection day will be somewhere during the third week of June.

I am totally lost here. Do I contact the tenants union? Should I register a complaint with the Ombudsman? I know that no-fault evictions are now banned in NSW, but if I go through official routes, I am worried that the landlord may retaliate by significantly increasing the rent or something like that. It hasn't even been a year since I moved, so it would be really hard for me to pack up and move again, especially since I have no family or friends in Sydney to assist in any way. Since I also have a close up photo of the lock, can I actually get a key made from a locksmith, or are these one of those 'do not copy' types of secure locks?

My previous post got a lot of helpful suggestions, so I am just looking for some tips here to avoid disconnection. Sharing the photo for reference (the faulty meter and the lock for which no one has the key, have been circled).

https://preview.redd.it/p752r3mmn12h1.jpg?width=1375&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=37d63ac6c4c89014c7c7e3d3048edac44639125f

I am renting a unit in a Strata complex, which has a common meter room to which I don't have access. I moved here in October 2025.

I got a call one day from some company saying they have a work order to fix my faulty meter, and if I can provide access. I told them that I am just the tenant, so I don't have access or any contact details of the building management. I just passed on the details of my real estate agent, and told them to arrange access through them. I didn't hear back after this, so I assumed the job was done.

Yesterday I received an email from my electricity provider, mentioning that they have repeatedly been unable to access the meter due to 'locked premises', and I will be liable for disconnection if access is not provided during the next meter reading.

I called up the electricity company, and they told me that my building actually has smart meters so ordinarily they wouldn't require physical access, but there appears to be a fault with the meter so they need to raise a new work order and I need to provide access. I explained to them that I have no access, but they said they will come back with a date and time for repairs and since the electricity account is in my name, it is up to me to arrange access.

My real estate agent does not respond promptly. And if they aren't ok with the date and time provided by the electricity company, I have to be the middleman, conveying information back and forth. I have already sent an email to my real estate agent, but I'm not sure if or when they'll respond.

This is stressing me out no end. I am not sure how to resolve this. Is there a way for me to obtain the contact details of building management and request them for access directly, instead of going through the real estate agent? In the worst case, if they do end up disconnecting the electricity supply, is moving out my only recourse?

UPDATE: Thanks a lot for your responses. I looked up the strata company, found their contact details, called up my electricity provider and told them to just get in touch directly with the Strata company for any access related issues. Hopefully I won't be bothered about this matter again, and they'll sort it out.