The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released the draft Retail Exempt Selling Guideline (version 6) (Draft Guideline).
The Draft Guideline contains a new condition requiring a park owner that on-supplies electricity via registrable exemption class R4, to develop, implement, maintain and comply with a hardship policy.
The AER sets out in detail what the hardship policy must contain.
It is important that each park owner prepares for the implementation of the Draft Guideline by asking the following questions:
- What types of payment flexibility can a park owner offer?
- What systems are in place for a park owner to identify any home owners that may require assistance?
- Who will be responsible for managing enquiries and requests for flexible payments and hardship arrangements?
- Does the park owner contract with a third party billing agent, and if so, how will those arrangements need to be modified to enable compliance with the park owner’s hardship policy?
If you would like any further information or assistance in drafting or implementing a hardship policy, please contact our Resources and Energy or Manufactured Homes team.