How can I apply for Free Basic Electricity if I'm paying for the Eskom account but I'm a tenant on someone else's premises?

The long answer

You will need a prepaid electricity meter, so if the property you live in does not have a prepaid meter, you would need to ask the owner to install one. Users who have prepaid electricity meters can see when the free electricity is used up, and will then have to buy more electricity at their own expense.

As different municipalities have their own policies and procedures, the first thing to do is to go to the municipal offices with your ID, proof of address, your pension card if you are a pensioner, proof of monthly income, a letter/affidavit from the owner and the Eskom account, and ask them to check whether you qualify for Free Basic Electricity. If you do, ask them to sign you up.  (It can take three to four months for the council to approve your application.)

Eskom explains that municipalities submit a list of FBE beneficiaries (qualifying people) to them, which enables the beneficiaries to collect their FBE vouchers or tokens each month from Eskom vending outlets. 

The maximum amount of free electricity is between 50kWh and 60kWh per household, depending on the municipality you live in. The customer is then charged for anything used above this limit.  Only one FBE voucher or token is accepted by the meter during a specific month. 

Flash Group says that tokens are available from the 1st of each calendar month and are valid only for that month. They say that it’s important to keep in mind that unused tokens do not accumulate and are forfeited if not claimed.

Once approved, you can access your FBE token number by dialling *130*269# on your cellphone. You can also collect your FBE token from a local vendor.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie