Being charged to change electric meter

briggy

We moved to this house in 2003, when we moved in there was a key meter which at the time suited us. Then we wanted to change to montly bills as we were paying over the odds for the key meter.

We asked Scottish Power about about changing but they said they couldn't as we had changed to Npower for a few months and still owed them money. We have never changed suppliers while living here. Anyway this went on for a couple of years and now after charging us over the odds to pay for this missing couple of months they have agreed to wipe off the last £50 they say that we owe.

We have now asked to have the key meter taken out and to pay monthly but they have said it will cost £200. Has anybody any suggestions where we go from here? Do we just pay it or go elsewhere? Will all companies charge the same to change it?

Premier_2

£200 sounds like a returnable deposit as security against not paying the bills with a credit meter, rather than a charge.

Whilst every supplier will have it's own risk assessment policy, it's probable that others too will charge you a similar security deposit based on their credit assessment of you.

The security deposit is normally returnable after 12 months, assuming you've paid your bills in full & on time, and you'll also get interest on the deposit - but not much at the moment; it's based on Barclays bank base rate.

Why not switch to ebico? There you'll pay the same price per unit whether you have a pre-payment or credit meter?

Plushchris

Whatever you do, if you pay to get the meters removed make sure you get it in writing that its a returnable deposit and not a charge otherwise they will do all they can to wriggle out of not paying it back to you.
I'd ring round the other suppliers and see if any will change it for free by switching to them, some will do it for nothing but ask you to stay with them for a length of time.

Ebico isnt always the answer to prepayment meters, it all depends on your usage if Ebico are cheaper or not. Last I heard in some regions Scottish Powers Prepayment was cheaper than quarterly billing (not sure if thats still the case)

briggy

Premier wrote: »

£200 sounds like a returnable deposit as security against not paying the bills with a credit meter, rather than a charge.

Whilst every supplier will have it's own risk assessment policy, it's probable that others too will charge you a similar security deposit based on their credit assessment of you.

The security deposit is normally returnable after 12 months, assuming you've paid your bills in full & on time, and you'll also get interest on the deposit - but not much at the moment; it's based on Barclays bank base rate.

Why not switch to ebico? There you'll pay the same price per unit whether you have a pre-payment or credit meter?

I thought that but was told it was the cost of the new meter and not a deposit. I have a look at ebico, thanks for your reply

kayla99

We have the same problem, key meter in the house for electric when we bought the house. Scottish Power told us £200 to remove the meter, but Eon will do it for £50 !! Not brilliant, but better

Kay

Cardew

Some companies do charge to have the meter fitted

harvspad

hi i had my meter changed in jan this year and it had 18p debt on it from last uccupant and it didnt cost me a penny to get it changed to a new billing meter,im with southern electric

Henry_Hoover_2

I bought a property that had an pre-pay electric meter, with Eon. I asked them to remove it and they wanted to charge £50.

I asked NPower how much they would charge to remove it if I switched to them, and it was free!

Worth a try!