Help - Bought new house, prepayment meter fitted, don't want!

k_bagpuss

Hi!

As the thread says above I got the keys to the repossessed property I've purchased on Friday. On Sat am I asked a neighbour if I could borrow a key for the meter cupboard as there wasn't one in our house. I opened the Gas on to find nothing! Just 2 pipes and no meter. There ws a card in there saying meter removed on 19/11/08 under warrant.

Inside the Electric cupboard is a prepay meter.

I phoned my current suppliers Scottish Power. I've been with them at the flat I'm in now for a year, and was with them previously under a 4 year deal and have never had a payment problem with them. I explained I'm the new owner, am currently on a dual fuel deal with them and to request they remove the prepay meter and install a standard meter so we can continue with our monthly DD. And they have refused to take out the prepay meter despite knowing my record with them and the fact the old debt on the property is nothing to do with us.

The only way they will remove it is if I prepay for my electric for the year which is £600. Now as I have a lot of money to pay out workmen I am not at all happy about this and wondered if this is right. And also what my options are. I spoke to e-on and they also said they wouldn't remove a prepayment meter until I'd built some history with them. :mad:

Is there any way around this? Has anyone had a similar experience?

spiro

If your current supplier wont exchange the meter for you (they know you) then it is highly unlikely that any other supplier will based on the history of the property (gas meter removed under warrant, elec prepayment meter). Suggest you go to one of the suppliers who charges about the same for ppm as credit.

Vestra

spiro wrote: »

If your current supplier wont exchange the meter for you (they know you) then it is highly unlikely that any other supplier will based on the history of the property (gas meter removed under warrant, elec prepayment meter). Suggest you go to one of the suppliers who charges about the same for ppm as credit.

Credit worthiness has nothing to do with the property. There are suppliers who will take you on as a new customer and switch your meter for free as long as you pass a credit check.

Premier_2

k_bagpuss wrote: »

...The only way they will remove it is if I prepay for my electric for the year which is £600. Now as I have a lot of money to pay out workmen I am not at all happy about this and wondered if this is right. ...

It doesn't sound right but if that is all they will offer you, there's not much you can do.

I suggest you try ringing other suppliers to see if they will switch the meter for free in return for you giving them your custom. Perhaps offer to provide them the gas business too ... but I fear you may have a bigger bill to pay when you discover there's a re-connection charge for the gas, so check that before agreeing to anything.

Or, as you otherwise seem to like SP having been with them for a 4 year deal, rememeber that the prepayment tariff with SP offers a discount over their usual price (5% I think). Could you apply for a 0% credit card and put the £600 they require on that?

Details of 0% credit cards here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cards/best-0-credit-cards#deals

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

k_bagpuss wrote: »

I spoke to e-on and they also said they wouldn't remove a prepayment meter until I'd built some history with them. :mad:

Is there any way around this? Has anyone had a similar experience?

Hi k_bagpuss

This is generally the case but each request is considered individually.

When you spoke to us did you tell us you owned the property? Also, did you talk to our Prepayment team?

For home owners we have not previously supplied we will consider requests to remove Prepayment meters. However, this will be subject to a credit check by an external agency.

If the credit check is ok and we agree to replace the meter we will ask you to set up a Direct Debit to cover future usage.

There is a charge of £50 for each Prepayment meter replaced.

I would suggest calling our Prepayment people on 0845 3033 040. Give them the full circumstances and take it from there.

Hope this helps.

Malc

Premier_2

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

...There is a charge of £50 for each Prepayment meter replaced....

I would try other suppliers first as not all suppliers charge to replace a pre-payment meter with a credit meter.
They may also allow you to pay on receipt of bill if you prefer.

But according to your credit profile, they may request a refundable deposit (which shouldn't be confused with a non-refundable charge). This may be waived if you agree to pay monthly by DD.

cajef

We moved into a property last December that had pre-payment meters for both electric and gas.

We had been with Scottish Power for over eight years, we asked if we transfered to them from the existing supplier could the meters be changed to ordinary credit meters when the transfer was complete, they agreed and this was done with no charge or any problems or delays within a couple of months of moving in.