Estimated electricity readings in Johannesburg: what the rule says

If your electricity meter isn't read, the City bills you an estimate. The City's own policy says how that estimate must be worked out, and what happens when a real reading finally arrives. This guide is for conventional (credit) meters read by hand. Smart meters send their readings automatically, and prepaid meters aren't covered here.

General information, not legal advice.

The rule

Clause 9.3 of the City's Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy says:

"Where, for any reason whatsoever readings cannot be obtained, interim readings (estimates) shall be utilised. Interim readings will be based on the average monthly consumption of services registered over the 12 preceding months. As soon as an actual reading is obtained, the account will be adjusted accordingly."

The clause speaks of "services", so it covers electricity as well as water. Clause 9.2 says the City shall "ensure accurate measurement of consumption at regular intervals".

The City's representative must be given "unrestricted access" to read the meter "at all reasonable hours" (clause 9.6). Under clause 9.7, refusing access "shall lead to penalties and legal action", which can include disconnecting or restricting water or electricity. So keep the meter reachable. A locked gate or a dog in the yard, for example, can stop the reader getting to it.

You still pay the estimate

Clause 10.9 says that when estimated accounts are rendered, "the customer must pay and remains liable for the payment of estimates charged to the account." Querying an estimate doesn't by itself suspend that.

While a query is open, clause 16.3 says it "must be accompanied by payment of, at least, the total amount outstanding on the account", and that where only part of the account is disputed, payment "shall be based on average monthly previous charges before the query/dispute arises". The two sentences don't fit together, so ask the City in writing what amount it expects. How to dispute a Joburg bill covers this.

How to check an estimate

1. List your readings. Note each reading on your bills, its date, and whether it was actual or estimated. If a bill doesn't make that clear, ask the City.
2. Work out your real average. Use the actual readings from the 12 months before the estimate, and only periods between two actual readings. Divide the units used by the number of days, then multiply by 30.
3. Compare. If the estimate is far above that average, ask the City how it was worked out.

Example. Actual readings show 1,350 kWh used over the 90 days before an estimate: 450 kWh per 30 days. The next bill estimates 700 kWh for 30 days. That's about 56% above your average, which is worth querying under clause 9.3.

The free check does this for you: choose electricity and enter at least 3 readings with dates. It compares each estimate with your actual readings in the 12 months before it, using only periods between two actual readings, and flags estimates more than 15% above that average. With under 90 days of actual readings, it suggests asking the City rather than calling the estimate an error. It doesn't flag estimates that look too low; the next section says why those matter too.

When the real reading arrives

The policy says the account "will be adjusted accordingly". Two things can happen:

• The estimates were too high. The actual reading is lower than the estimates suggested. The account should then be adjusted down, which should show as a credit. Check that it appears.
• The estimates were too low. Months of use land on one bill. For water, the bands make that cost more; see catch-up bills. We don't price electricity catch-ups yet, because City Power's 2026/27 credit-meter tariff isn't confirmed from an official schedule.

What to do

• Send your own reading. City Power's 15 July 2025 statement asks customers with manual meters to "self-read and submit their meter readings", with a clear photo showing the meter number, the reading and the date. Send it to billing@citypower.co.za or through the e-Joburg portal, during your area's scheduled reading window: readings submitted outside the window "will not be used for billing". Read your own meter shows how.
• Query the estimate and get a reference number. City Power took over electricity billing from 1 July 2025, but the same statement says "your electricity bill will still be issued through the City of Johannesburg". The dispute guide gives the contacts and the steps.
• Keep paying, as set out above.

Estimated readings covers the same rule for water and electricity together.

Sources

• City of Johannesburg Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy, clauses 9.2, 9.3, 9.6, 9.7, 10.9 and 16.3
• City of Johannesburg, City Power takes over the electricity billing function (statement)