The property was replaced with an old electric meter.

Are you sure it was the property that changed the electricity meter, not the power bureau? As far as I know, replacing old electric meters is the scope of work of the electric power bureau, and it seems that there is no such job in the property.

If it is really a property replacement meter, you can claim compensation from the property. You can't just drag it if the neighbors can't find it, as the property management said. According to the property management, if neighbors have lived in other places or abroad for many years, can't this matter be solved?

As for whether the neighbor turns off the phone, you can tell the property company that it has nothing to do with you, and you can ask the property to pay this part of the electricity bill for you first. As for the expenses paid in advance by the property, the property company can negotiate with its neighbors. Who will let the property company make mistakes? Otherwise, if you don't pay the electricity bill for a certain period of time, you will receive a power outage notice from the power bureau, and then the power bureau will stop the electricity in your home, which will be troublesome and there may be a problem of late payment of the electricity bill. I hope you won't delay too long.

In addition, it's best to find a digital camera and take pictures of the number of electric meters as evidence to provide evidence for future cost disputes.