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Hypothetical question re rented property

If you were in rented accommodation that had a pre-pay gas/electric meter do you have to get the landlord's consent to change the meter?

:j :j


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Comments

  • curly04
    curly04 Posts: 7,247 Forumite
    dont think you have to but it would be nice to tell them
    Total Weight Loss - 28lb and counting
    AD 17/11/2010
  • It may state so in your contract but the majority of times the Utility companies just put them in without asking consent. You may have to pay to get it removed at the end of the tenancy this costs £50.
  • Doucam
    Doucam Posts: 1,130 Forumite
    I think you do yes, there is something in our agreement which states that under no circumstances are you to get prepaid in.

    Having said that, many years ago I owned a flat which I rented out for a bit, and then moved back into it, and was surprised when all the electric went off, I called the electric company and they told me a prepaid had been put in, the agent had put it in without telling me! I wasn't very happy at all about that.
  • fiveyearplan
    fiveyearplan Posts: 10,143 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the answers. I always thought you did have to have permission and that the utility companies were supposed to ask if you were the owner of the property if you were wanting to change the meter.

    :j :j


  • We rented out this house i live in now, when we moved back in a meter had been put in without our consent.. we kicked off at the utility company who stated they did not need the house owners permission! They were just trying to recover money from the tenants.
    Obviously now working in rental i have seen both sides.. we have never had a tenant ask for one of these meters though.. they just get put in. 3 landlords have demanded that they are taken out, the utility companies charged £50 to remove them.
    When we had ours taken out it did not cost us anything as we were the homeowners.
  • fiveyearplan
    fiveyearplan Posts: 10,143 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks NM. Congratulations on the no smoking! :eek: that's a lot of money saved!!

    :j :j


  • fiveyearplan
    fiveyearplan Posts: 10,143 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I was actually wondering if there was already a pre-paid meter and you, as a tenant, had it changed back to an account meter. Would the same still apply and would you get charged to have it changed?

    :j :j


  • Thanks 5YP, yes I am happy, and seeing it build up is helping me keep off them! I did manage to save £500 extra during march and im not sure how!! gosh.. if i can save £700 per month that is some going isnt it!
    wont stay like this though as i will loose £300pm in september when eldest goes uni. although my bills should come down.. and of course atm i have no rent/mortgage sky or phone to pay for..
  • nervousmother
    nervousmother Posts: 2,885 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I was actually wondering if there was already a pre-paid meter and you, as a tenant, had it changed back to an account meter. Would the same still apply and would you get charged to have it changed?

    you would still need to ask the LL consent incase he had it put in. The utilitiy companies are not normally that great in having them taken out especially when the property is rented. But i guess if they agreed the charge would still apply, and it would be you paying it not the LL..
  • fiveyearplan
    fiveyearplan Posts: 10,143 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks again NM. I'm not actually the tenant, just asking for someone else. I thought I remembered though when I rented a commercial property the utility company asking if I was the owner before any changes could be made.

    I also lose out on money - this month for tax credits then March for DS child benefit and possible next June for DD child benefit. I'm glad interest rates are down a I have been able to afford to upgrade a few things at home and now tumble dryer has gone so looking in to buying a new one! It never ends.

    :j :j


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