British Gas - Changing Gas and Electricity from pre-paid to monthly DD meter

mjsmith2k

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and have been reading a few tips over the past few days, which have been very useful. Even though a few of my questions have been answered in older threads I would appreciate some up-to-date advice regarding my issues.

We live in a three bedroom semi, currently with British Gas for both our electricity and gas and are on a pre-paid meter. We average about £35-40 on electricity and gas a week, which is £140-160 in a typical month. However, over this Christmas/winter period our gas and electricity has been in excess of £180 for both (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb). I understand this is because of the bad weather, but the prices for our typical months is still very high!

We have run into a few financial difficulties with my Dad losing his job last June, which have only served to make it harder to cope with the price of these bills and we have always been under the impression that it would cost a lot of money to switch to a monthly billing cycle as we would have to pay for new meters, pay deposits etc (and British Gas were less than helpful when we enquired). Therefore, we have just muddled on.

Now that we seem to be over the worst of it, we really want to reduce these bills and as such we believe switching to a monthly billing cycle will help. I'm not bothered who it is with as long as the bills are reduced and it's a decent enough service.

So, I have a few questions:

1) What are the steps I need to take to switch to a monthly meter? i.e. any particularly successful buzz words/phrases to get the ball moving quickly when contacting suppliers/British Gas .

2) Can any supplier replace the meters, or do I have to go through British Gas to do it?

3) How much will it cost to replace the meters? Ideally we would like it to be changed for free as an incentive for signing up with a new supplier, as having to change two meters may prove expensive on our budget. What's the typical amount?

4) Is it worth all the hassle and potential expense of changing? We aren't particularly well off, so finding the money to change the meter may be difficult.

5) We rent with Places for People in Nottingham, will there be any issues with them if I decide to change the meter? i.e. do we need to inform them every step of the way?

6) I am not on the lease for renting this property (as I live with my parents and pay board), but if I pay the DD for the bills will the credit check be for me or my parents whose names are on the lease?

I would really appreciate anyone's constructive input .

Thanks

Matt

Premier_2

In answer to your numbered questions:

1. The supplier will only deal with the account holder. No buz words, just "Could I have a credit meter please?"

2. Only the current supplier will arrange a meter change. (although the account holder could switch supplier)

3. It depends. Some suppliers do not charge, whilst others do. Typical price would be about £50 per meter for those that charge. They may also request a refundable security deposit . This would typically be several hundred pounds. Agreeing to pay monthly by DD may prevent the request for a security deposit.
Of course, credit meters do, by definition, provide credit and so acceptance of any application is subject to status.

4. The cost of prepayment meters is now often similar to the suppliers standard tariff. (but a credit meter would open up additional discounted tariffs such as online billing, payment monthly by DD, etc).
However, if times are tough are you sure your parents can pay monthly charges on time. The advantage of a PPM is if you can't afford it, you can't use it and you can 'cut your cloth' accordingly. When there is no direct correclation between what is paid and what is consumed, it may be several months later when people suddenly discover they owe a lot more than they've paid.

5. What does the TA say about the meters? In general, all properties are let on the assumption that a property is given back to the LL at the end of the tenancy in the same condition as it was originally let, fair wear & tear excepted. If the property was let with a PPM and is not given back in that condition, your parents could end up paying any cost of reverting that. If in doubt, and to avoid any future costs, get the permission of the landlord in writing before changing anything.

6. The credit assessment will be based on the account holder(s). A supplier will be very suspicious of (and probably won't allow) a change in account holder(s) whilst they are still resident in the property. They may agree to add you as an additional account holder (as that would also make you equally & sewverally liable for the bills), but consider that very carefully as your credit history will then be financially attached to the other account holders ... which by the sounds of it don't have a good credit history.

mjsmith2k

Paying monthly wouldn't be a problem as everyone in the household is paid monthly now. I would ideally like to take this on myself so it's easier for me to monitor and keeps it separate from the rent, council tax, water etc. that my Dad is paying. I have just done so with other bills e.g. Virgin Media to help out. With regards to the credit rating, we all have decent credit ratings and my Dad did have an excellent credit rating, but with falling behind on a few a credit card payments, rent arrears etc it may prove problematic for him. Perhaps my mother could help here?

Any ideas which suppliers would not charge/or do a one off (cheap) fee that I could look into?

Thanks again for your response.

Premier_2

I only know 2 suppliers policies for sure.

1. British Gas, you you are with, do not charge a fee for the actual switch of meter.

2. E.on do charge for such a switch.

3. I don't think Altantic charge either. Nor Ebico I think (but you'd be no better off on a credit meter with them). So I suspect all SSE brands don't charge.


I don't know about security deposits as, where asked, it will depend on credit status.


To clarify my earlier comments, once a credit meter was installed there would be nothing to stop you paying the amounts by DD if that is what you wanted to do even if you were not the supply account holder (assuming the supply account holder agrees)

markharding557

You should look at your energy consumption because it is quite high it is nearly double mine for the same type of house

BargainGalore

You pay double what I pay for gas and I not in debt or much credit after Winter

mjsmith2k

Really? Are you both British Gas pre-pay?

Premier_2

mjsmith2k wrote: »

Really? Are you both British Gas pre-pay?

I think BG say that the average household energy consumption is 20,500kWh for gas & 3,300kWh for electric.

I would think that a 3 bed semi is a typical average house, and so based on those average consumptions, it'll probably cost about £1200 per year, as opposed to your £1800 per year.

So it looks like you are using about 50% more than average.

mjsmith2k

I think I'll give my meter a reading tonight (if I ever find out how) in that case as I wouldn't say we are heavy users of either, especially since we are all out of the house working 5 days a week (8-6).

Thanks for all the comments so far though has given me food for thought and I'll definitely be in touch with the LL and British Gas to see what I can do.

savemoney

As others said you are using rather a lot especially gas. I pay for both gas/electric with BG £80+ a month this about covers my annual usage

mjsmith2k

OK, so I've done a reading of the electricity and gas.

Electricity:
Going to have another go tonight

Gas:
Going to have another go tonight

Definitely not above average .