The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNEERC) has issued a ruling stating that residential flats with interlinking passages cannot have separate electricity connections. The decision clarifies the regulations around electricity connections for multi-unit buildings, emphasizing that common access areas such as hallways or staircases should not be treated as separate units for the purpose of electricity supply.

This ruling comes in response to growing concerns about the misuse of electricity connections and attempts by some property owners to install separate meters for flats that share common spaces. According to the TNEERC, such practices violate existing laws governing electricity usage and billing, which are intended to ensure fair and equitable distribution of power.

The TNEERC’s directive aims to standardize the power supply system, ensuring that all residents in a building with interlinked passages share a common electricity meter. This will help avoid complications related to metering, billing, and power usage among residents in multi-unit buildings, where a shared infrastructure exists.

Furthermore, the ruling is expected to streamline the billing process and prevent overcharging or discrepancies in electricity consumption. Property developers and building owners will need to comply with this regulation, ensuring that future constructions follow the established norms for electricity distribution.

This decision by the TNEERC reinforces the need for transparency in utility management within residential buildings and sets a clear precedent for similar cases in the future.