Pre-pay vs Metered Gas

LOUY_2

There is a debate in the house we are renting out.
The tennants are all students and their are 5 of them. 3 of whom are staying long term i.e. to the end of their course, and the other 2 rooms are usually let out and the student stays for the year, and then replaced with 2 new ones in the academic year.

The house is on Pre-Pay Gas where they have to top up the meter before they use Gas.
They are saying that this method is too expensive and they are paying too much for Gas. They feel it is better to move to meter.

I understand that metered post pay Gas is cheaper. But i dunno by how much.
Also, think it would be more difficult to accurately spliet the bills as people move out and towards the summer with bills coming at the end of each quarter.
Also not sure how to go about the change and what cost it will impose on me.
Is there a risk of affecting credit rating too ??

spiro

There are several things to consider here:
1) Landlord will probably need to agree to meter exchange. - Ignore this one I read original post incorrectly
2) Yes PPM is more expensive than say monthly DD but th gap is closing.
3) Bills may not match dates people move in and out.
4) With PPM they are no unexpectedly large bills.
5) The 3 of them wont be left with the bill if the other 2 do a bunk.
6) Depending on the credit rating of all those whose name goes on the account will be checked before supplier agress to change meter.
7) There may be a charge for exchanging meter.

Premier_2

LOUY wrote: »

...I understand that metered post pay Gas is cheaper. But i dunno by how much. ...

Have a look at ebico, perhaps your tenants will be happier with them.

They'll pay the same price whether they have a pre-pay or credit (post-pay) meter, and they are also quite competitive for gas.

Energyman_2

Who's name is on the account? If it is the students then they are the only ones who can change the meter (you may not allow this in your tenancy agreement) - you cant do this even though it is your property! (one of my tenants changed from credit to pre-pay without asking me and basically there is nothing I can do - although I have ammended my agreements to ensure this does not happen again)

If they change the meter most suppliers don't charge, though some are better than others at this, SSE are very good as are EDF. (i have used both companies to change meters)

If there are changes to the names on the account only once per year then it would not be too difficult to read the meters and phone in a reading before a tenant vacated (this would be a known date) and get an accurate bill to share.

If 5 students are living in a house it is likely that the bills will be large - the lack of standing charges / first tier rate will probably not be significant in the overall scheme of things - they should use a comparison site to get best rates for them.