Pre-Pay Meters

~Beanie~

Hi

When I bought my house 5 years ago, there were pre-payment meters already installed for both gas and electric, both with British Gas. I was asked when I moved in whether I wanted a normal credit meter but thought it would be easier to budget with the pre-pay so opted to keep them.

5 years down the line, I have found this website and realised that they are the most expensive way to pay and so I want them out!! I had a quick look on the BG website and it says that they may charge me for changing the meters over. Does anyone know if they are likely to charge and if so how much it is?

I have had a normal credit account with British Gas before, at the house I rented before this one and I paid by DD and was always in credit so have no history of debt or anything with BG.

Thanks!

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi,

As you have a good credit history with your supplier from your previous house, they probably won't need to do a credit check.

But they might charge you, this can range from around £50 up to £80 per meter.

If the meters are removed they might want you to pay by monthly Direct Debit.

I know that most suppliers do charge to have the meters removed, but I'd ask them first and you could also look around other suppliers.

~Beanie~

I don't mind paying by monthly DD, that would suit me fine.

I would object to paying for the meters to be changed when it wasn't my choice to get them installed in the first place! They offered my the option to have them swapped for free 5 years ago when I moved in, I just wondered if there was anyone on here who worked for BG and would know the answer.

Thanks x

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi Beanie,

Some energy company's brought in guidelines to remove pre-payment meters, this is where the charge has come from.

But they did offer this to you for free, so I would contact them and say you now want to have these changes.

They might even still have it on the notes on your account that they offered this to you.

~Beanie~

Cheers, I've just had another look at British Gas's website and it says this:

Please note that all customers will be required to have a credit check with a licensed Credit Agency. If the credit check is successful then arrangements will be made to exchange your meter. We may require you to set up a monthly direct debit or to pay a security deposit.

My credit file has taken a bit of a battering in the 5 years since moving in but I have no defaults or CCJs and have had no late payments for 12 months now. It also refers to it as a 'secuirty deposit' rather than a charge which suggests that I might get it back at some point.

I think I'll have to bite the bullet and ring them.

Premier_2

BG never charged me when I got a PPM meter changed for a credit meter.

BG will, as anyone offering credit usually does, make a credit check as per their terms & conditions.
This might mean you are required to pay a security deposit if you have a poor credit file, but agreeing to pay monthly by DD often (but not always) removes the necessity for a security deposit.
A security deposit is refundable, I think after 12 months with BG. (providing your bills from them are paid in full & on time!)

Note that if your credit file is so poor, BG (or any other supplier) may refuse to grant you a credit meter.

Best to contact your supplier, BG, and see what they are prepared to do for you

SwanJon

BG will not charge to exchange the meter, but they may ask for a security deposit. As you have been a customer for 5 years this will be based on your consumption and yu will get it back after 12 months of paying your bills or DDs.
As you don't have a recent history of paying bills I suspect that the deposit or credit check are your options. 5 years is plenty of time for your credit profile to change.

Best bet is to give them a call (free from a landline on 0800 048 0303) and see what they can do for you.