New house questions

jancee_2

Just got keys for new place. Seems previous tenant was on pre-pay. I've got the numbers to ring to find out who was supplying the place [supply now switched off] and the meter readings. But I have a couple of questions please.

How soon can they come out to connect the supply? Will they come on Saturday do you think?

Do I have to initially go with the existing supplier and then switch? Or can I sign up with someone else from the off?

I've been living with someone who was the bill payer, so have no recent record of my own, but had an excellent record prior to that [couple of years ago] when I was paying my own bills. But I was with now defunct Powergen. Does EON retain their records? Am I doomed to prepay initially? I have no adverse ratings on my credit rating.

And lastly - previous numpty has left -£17.00 showing on electric meter. Who will zero this off for me?

Fankoo!

spiro

Basically you can opt for which supplier you want as long as you register before you move in, if you start using fuel then you will be in a 'deemed contract' with the current supplier. EON should still have details of you at you old address as they should keep financial records for 7 years. When you move in, take the meter readings as these will act as your opening read, anything used before that is someone elses responsibility. If you want to ensure they cant disagree photograph it as digital cameras date/timestamp photos.

lemontart

once you find out who the registered gas supplier is by calling 0870 608 1524 or the igt named on the meter, register with them and they will arrange for the supply to be turned back on. Ask them how long it will take,

Premier_2

spiro wrote: »

Basically you can opt for which supplier you want as long as you register before you move in, ....

Perhaps you can, but time & time again attempting to do so usually results in problems.

It is better to simply accept the current suppliers and once accounts are set up, then switch supplier if you wish

Premier_2

jancee wrote: »

...How soon can they come out to connect the supply? Will they come on Saturday do you think?...

If the meter (for gas) or the main fuse (for electricity) is still there then the chances are the supply has not been disconnected only isolated at the fuse box or gas meter as appropriate.

If the supply has only been isolated (which is usual unless the supplier had reason to believe they would incur ongoing losses) then you can turn the supply on yourself by flicking the switch/turning the isolation valve.

If in doubt as to the safety/integrity of the circuits in the property, use the services of a professional electrician or gas engineer as appropriate.

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi jancee,

As you’ve got the keys and haven’t already organised a new supplier, you will have entered into a deemed contract with E.ON from the day the tenancy started.

You can change supplier immediately, however this takes around 4-6 weeks so for that period E.ON will be the company you pay for your energy usage. Make sure you take readings from the day you move in.

Is the supply disconnected or has it just been turned off at the fuse box?

It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to have a credit meter fitted immediately as tenants need to rent for a 12 month period before this is considered, however I suggest you call ask as each case is dealt with on its own particular merits.

Finally the new prepayment key E.ON sends you will reset all the meter settings, any debt set on the meter will be reset.

Brian

jancee_2

Thanks all! :beer:

Now, particularly to Mr/Ms EON - it turns out to be EDF that supplies both gas and electric. The power has been disconnected but I have arranged for a key to be sent out on to which I have to load some credit. I told them the negative balance and apparently the key has been loaded to cancel it out. Good work.

Now, Powergen was absorbed into EON wasn't it? My payment record up to two years ago was with Powergen and I wondered if EON would accept me as a credit customer due to my good history with the company? I still know my old account details.

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi Jancee,

That’s right; Powergen became E.ON in December 2007.

Have you bought this property or are you renting?

The guidelines we follow vary depending on whether you own or rent, but all cases are reviewed based on there own merits.

As you aren’t moving from a current E.ON supplied property, the payment history from 2 years ago isn’t likely to be taken into account.

This would be treated as a normal case and a credit check would be carried out, a £50 charge for the cost of the meter exchange applied and you would need to agree to pay by Direct Debit for your future energy usage.

The rule is different if you move from a property where you had an E.ON account on credit meters to another E.ON supplied property with prepayment meters. In this situation if the previous accounts had good history there wouldn’t be a credit check.

Brian

jancee_2

Thank you!

Now - does anyone know if any of the supply companies do NOT charge to switch me to a credit meter?

Premier_2

jancee wrote: »

Thank you!

Now - does anyone know if any of the supply companies do NOT charge to switch me to a credit meter?

Yes there are quite a few that wont charge :beer:

Contact them directly to enquire. Your offer to switch to them if they agree to change the meter for no charge would be a good incentive for them. Probably best to do this asap explaining that you have just moved to the property.

Although they may agree to change the meter for no charge, they may request a security deposit (refundable after 12 months with interest) or that you pay monthly by DD.