Question of the week: Prepayment meters

catalonia13

Meatballs wrote: »

Just moved into a house with prepayment meters for elec and gas and have a few questions:
c) What are a tenants rights about energy meters (I know you can change suppliers without worrying about landlord), do you need landlords permission to have them changed?

I think (private) landlords have the right to insist on pre-payment (owing to tenants leaving without having paid their bills) but not 100% sure so best to check somewhere but landlords have no say over which supplier you use, if you have to stick with the pre-payment meter then go with a supplier that does not charge any extra, Ebico is one.

Premier_2

Meatballs wrote: »

...c) What are a tenants rights about energy meters (I know you can change suppliers without worrying about landlord), do you need landlords permission to have them changed?

You are expected to leave a rented property in the same condition as in which it were originally let, fair wear & tear excepted.

That means the landlord would have the right to would expect the utility meters to be of the same type when you give up the property as when it was let, else the landlord could otherwise charge you the cost incurred in making good the change (such cost probably being deducted from any security deposit).

Of course, communication is often the key to resolving or better still avoiding issues.
If you wish to change the meter, discuss this with your landlord (or his agent) first. If it is agreed that the meter can be changed, get that in writing for your own protection.