Think prepaid meters are complicated, expensive, or only for tenants? Think again. We break down the top myths about prepaid utility systems and set the record straight.

Prepaid metering has grown rapidly across South Africa — especially in residential, commercial, and municipal environments. But despite its widespread use, many myths and misconceptions still persist.

Some believe prepaid meters are only for low-income households. Others think they’re unreliable, difficult to use, or bad for business. In this article, we’re busting the top 5 myths we hear about prepaid meters — and giving you the facts that matter.

Myth 1: “Prepaid meters are only for tenants or informal housing.”

✅ Busted:
While prepaid systems were initially popular in subletting and affordable housing, they’ve now become standard practice in modern estates, sectional titles, new developments, and even high-end commercial spaces. Developers and landlords are choosing prepaid meters for one simple reason: they work.

Why it matters:

• Ensures cost recovery in any environment
• Helps landlords avoid billing disputes
• Adds value to newly built properties
• Allows usage-based billing across all sectors

Myth 2: “Prepaid meters are difficult to use.”

✅ Busted:
Today’s prepaid meters are user-friendly and intuitive. Most include a simple keypad or CIU (Customer Interface Unit) where tenants enter a 20-digit token, view their balance, and monitor usage. Token purchases can be made via bank apps, spaza shops, retailers, or online — similar to buying airtime.

Why it matters:

• Easy for anyone to top up
• Encourages usage awareness and savings
• Helps tenants manage utility budgets effectively

Myth 3: “Prepaid meters are unreliable and prone to faults.”

✅ Busted:
At Khanyisa Prepaid, we only install SABS-approved, STS-compliant meters from trusted brands like Hexing, Landis+Gyr, and Conlog. These meters are highly accurate, tamper-resistant, and built for South African conditions — including high temperatures, load shedding, and voltage fluctuation.

Why it matters:

• Long-term reliability means fewer service calls
• Tamper detection protects landlords and municipalities
• Load control features improve grid management

Myth 4: “Prepaid meters are bad for business or commercial properties.”

✅ Busted:
In fact, prepaid metering is becoming the preferred system for shopping centres, business parks, workshops, and even boundary/bulk metering. It ensures tenants pay for exactly what they use and eliminates the need for landlords to recover utility costs manually.

Why it matters:

• Simplifies utility billing in multi-tenant environments
• Improves cash flow and reduces administrative workload
• Allows for scalable deployment in commercial zones

Myth 5: “It’s expensive to install prepaid meters.”

✅ Busted:
While there is an upfront cost for meters and installation, most clients find the investment pays for itself quickly through better cost recovery, reduced billing disputes, and time saved on admin. Khanyisa also offers risk-free audits and project-based pricing for estates, municipalities, and landlords.

Why it matters:

• No ongoing meter reading or billing service costs
• Faster ROI for landlords and property managers
• Funding support available in certain cases

The Truth? Prepaid Just Makes Sense.

Whether you’re a landlord, homeowner, developer, or municipal official, prepaid metering helps you save time, recover costs faster, and put utility control into the hands of the user — where it belongs.