Mandatory remote water meter readings by 1. 1. 2027
Autumn 2026 is the last realistic opportunity for SVJ and apartment buildings to equip their meters with remote reading before the deadline of 1. 1. 2027. What exactly this obligation entails, who it affects, and why delaying implementation is not worthwhile, we summarise in this article.
What legislation requires
The obligation stems from the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), transposed into Czech law by an amendment to Act No. 406/2000 Coll. On energy management. Meters installed from 1. 1. 2022 must be remotely readable, for new installations, therefore, the issue does not arise.
The amendment has a real impact on older meters. If your building's owners' association still uses water or heat meters without remote reading, they must be fitted with a remote reading module or replaced with new meters: no later than 1. 1. 2027.
In brief
Meters from 1. 1. 2022 = must be remotely readable. Older meters = equip or replace by 1. 1. 2027 at the latest.
Who is subject to the obligation
This obligation applies to every SVJ and residential building where water and heating costs are allocated among individual flats based on the consumption recorded by individual meters. It does not matter whether the building is large or small, or whether it is a new build or older stock; the only decisive factor is whether a specific meter can or cannot transmit data remotely. In buildings where some meters already support remote reading while others do not, only the missing portion must be upgraded or replaced.
In practice, this means that the building's owners' association board or property manager should have an overview of how many water meters and heat meters are installed in the building, what type they are, and whether remote reading is already available. This overview is also the first step for the SVJ to request replacement or additional equipment from a supplier.
Why now is the last suitable moment
Why now is the last suitable moment
The 1. 1. 2027 deadline may seem distant at first glance, but implementing the replacement or equipping of an entire building takes weeks: from the initial enquiry through ordering meters tailored to the number and type of consumption points, right up to the actual installation in individual flats.
Autumn 2026 is the final wave from an operational perspective where the building's owners' association still has sufficient time to respond to potential complications, unavailability of some owners at the agreed time, need for a rescheduled date, delivery lead times for specific meter types, and yet complete everything by year-end. Those who wait until the last weeks of December 2026 risk that neither suppliers nor the building's own organisation will have capacity left.
What remote meter reading brings in practice
The law also stipulates that if a building has remote meter reading, flat owners must receive information about their consumption at least once a month. In practice, this means the building's owners' association needs not only meters but also a system to collect and provide access to the data; it is therefore not just a matter of technically replacing the devices.
The allocation of water and heating costs between individual flats continues to be governed by Act No. 67/2013 Coll. On services associated with the use of flats; remote meter reading supports this obligation by providing accurate and ongoing data as a basis.
How to proceed
The first step is to determine how many meters in the building still lack remote reading and what type they are. This is followed by a non-binding enquiry with a supplier who can schedule both delivery and installation for autumn 2026, ensuring everything is completed with sufficient lead time before the end of the year. The earlier the building's owners' association reserves the installation date, the greater the flexibility in selecting a suitable time for all owners.
The recommended procedure for the building's owners' association board is summarised in these steps:
- determine the number and type of meters in the building that do not yet support remote reading,
- request a non-binding consultation and price quote from the supplier,
- schedule the installation for autumn 2026 to allow a reserve for possible alternative dates,
- inform all owners and tenants in advance of the date and the need for access to the flat,
- commission the system after installation to meet the obligation of providing monthly consumption reports.
A detailed description of the replacement process in individual flats can be found in the article about replacement of water meters in a residential building, the indicative price is then in the article about price of water meter replacementIf you are unsure whether the verification period for your meters is also expiring, please also read the article about Odečty vodoměrů on odecty-vodomeru.cz. water meter calibration - both issues can be resolved within a single installation.