electric meter problem

crazyfool2k9

I've got a few problems with the rented house i've just got the keys for, it has a pre pay elctric meter which i didnt know about should the LA have told me about this? Also in the inventory it says the meter is £25 in credit but when i look it is actually £26 in debt any ideas who i should speak to get this soreted? Last questin how do i go about switching back to a normal meter from the pre pay one? Thanks

maninthestreet

How can a pre-pay meter be in debt?

clutton_2

they often are - whenever my tenants leave - the meters always eat up the first £20 i put in .....

you need to get your LL to phone electric company and say that the old tenant has left - and you will then need a new payment card in your name if you are to continue using it
but - does your Tenancy agreement allow you to change the meter ?

Doozergirl

maninthestreet wrote: »

How can a pre-pay meter be in debt?

Don't even go there. It's a mine field.

Firstly, they have an amount that you can go into debt by yourself. Then these things have standing charges so even if you don't use any electricity they are charging you - so if the house is empty it's just clocking up debt.

OP, you need to call the people on the payment card to try and get the debt wiped - often more easily said than done. Most of the companies in my experience have changed the meter, on your request, four weeks after you've taken on the account. npower have just told my H however that you need the account for a year, which is outrageous!

chnelomi

call the electric company if its one of the new meters they just give you a special number and you go to a shop that sells them. they tell you the ones nearest you. it cost £8 i think now but this goes as a credit on the meter.

Ask about changing the meter but some charge for the change.

crazyfool2k9

ok thanks guys for this advice will get on it the mornin, its annoying because i've never used these things before and movin in on staurday and the house has no electric!!!

Fire_Fox

Didn't you do a proper check-in with the letting agent? I'd photograph the debt on the meter on and also write to the letting agent informing them of your actions, as on check out they will expect the meter to be £25 in credit. You don't necessarily need a normal credit meter, pre-pay is ok if you are sensible with energy and ensure you switch to the cheapest supplier ASAP (price up Ebico).

N79

Normally the electricity companies will give new occupants sufficient free credit to wipe out the debt on the meter if you phone up and ask them. However, I have also always been requesting a meter change.

Crazyfool - would you be able to qualify for a credit meter? If so, then even if your tenancy agreement does not allow you to change the meter it would be worth writing to your LL to ask if you can make the change. It will save you lots of money in the long run.

crazyfool2k9

ok rang e-on and got new account set up they have wiped the debt. when i asked about changing to direct debit though they said i had to be with them for 12 months and pay £50 is this usual? or does anyone now of a company that might change it for me now?

Fire_Fox

crazyfool2k9 wrote: »

ok rang e-on and got new account set up they have wiped the debt. when i asked about changing to direct debit though they said i had to be with them for 12 months and pay £50 is this usual? or does anyone now of a company that might change it for me now?

That's quite common. Use a price comparison site and a cashback site to switch to someone cheaper than Eon ASAP.

E.ON_Company_Representative

crazyfool2k9 wrote: »

when i asked about changing to direct debit though they said i had to be with them for 12 months and pay £50 is this usual?

Hi crazyfool,

Just to confirm this information is correct.

It's worth noting that if you have moved from an E.ON supplied property and you had a clean credit history with a credit meter, the rules above won't necessarily apply and the meter may be changed for free and soon. :beer:

Brian