When can I get off!?

webbo1981

I moved into a rented accomidation on December 5th 2009 where unfortunately for me the property was put on a Prepayment Meter, Electric

I am still at the property now and even though it's summer I am paying 50 pounds a month approx
After just talking with my next door neighbour who has the same house as me, who's in her house just as much as I am in mine her electric bill is 65 pounds from Feb-now

How and when can I get off this damn prepayment meter!?

Just to note I am with Eon and have been since I moved in the property, again unfortunately for me this is the 1st time I have rented anywhere since moving home, so no history with any other electric companies etc

Many thanks in advance

Cardew

webbo1981 wrote: »

I moved into a rented accomidation on December 5th 2009 where unfortunately for me the property was put on a Prepayment Meter, Electric

Was the Prepayment meter already in the property, or was it 'put on' after you moved in - as indicated in the above quote?

It boils down to when EON consider you are a good credit risk and I believe they charge to change meters in any case.

If you were put on a meter after moving in because of difficulties in paying, I suspect it will be a long time before they agree to change meters.

If meter was already installed, it might help if you offer a returnable deposit.

Incidentally, there isn't the huge difference in prices of pre-pay and credit meter that your post indicates(you £50 a month your neighbour £65 in four months)

The cheapest internet tariff(electric only) might be 15%-20% cheaper than pre-pay if you pay by Direct Debit.

mattcanary

Some other suppliers are far more likely to remove a prepayment meter than Eon. EDF and Scottish & Southern are two examples.
If you definitely don't want a prepayment meter, you may wish to contact another company, and see if they would be prepared to remove the meter if you changed supplier to them.

As Cardew said though, it is unlikely that having a prepayment meter per se is the real reason for you having to pay a lot. There may be other problems - the prepayment meter may be set incorrectly (perhaps you are paying off the previous occupier's debt?), maybe the meter is faulty, maybe an immersion heater has been left on by accident, etc, etc.

I do think there are real disadvantages to prepayment meters and I wouldn't want one personally (indeed I got them removed when I moved into my current flat). If you have a temporary shortage of funds, then you won't have any power if your meter runs out (particularly valid if you're self-employed for example) and if your meter stops working and you cannot recharge it then you are totally reliant on your supplier acting efficiently and coming out quickly to repair/replace it -otherwise you have no power. I think these are huge disadvantages and I feel that you have no control when you have a prepayment meter. If the supplier acts inefficiently then there is little you can do to get them to act or at least protest (eg: not paying until they have resolved the issue).

Some people swear by prepayment meters and they can mean you are more careful about using the electric, resulting in less money being spent. However, in reality that can be done through any other method too by keeping a record of the meter readings and working out how much that equates to in money terms on a regular basis (say weekly or monthly). It really is not difficult once you know how much your supplier charges per unit used. (you can call them up to find this out, if required)

Premier_2

webbo1981 wrote: »

...How and when can I get off this damn prepayment meter!?...

No change to the advice you were given in your thread you created in January asking essentially the same thing.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2212681

Note in particular references to credit checks that may be required, in particular with reference to your failure to secure credit recently from other sources
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2445185

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi webbo1981,

In your circumstances I don’t think we will change this meter, we would only normally look at changing the meter if the property has been rented for 12 months or longer. We would also charge £50 for the meter exchange to cover the cost of the work, as this is deemed a non-essential meter exchange. A credit check may even be performed.

The exception to this would be if the person in question has previously held an account with E.ON for more than 12 months and has a good payment history. In home move circumstances we may waive the cost of the exchange.

Brian

specialsparky

You don't say anything about yourself. If you considered Vulnerable or disabled and find it difficult to use your PP meter then Eon may change it. EDF will change foc and let you move your account to them, give them a call.I don't think anyone else will.

Cardew

specialsparky wrote: »

EDF will change foc and let you move your account to them, give them a call.I don't think anyone else will.

Only if the OP has a good credit record - which from posts in other threads, he hasn't got.

specialsparky

I think your wrong Cardew EDF will take your account and not charge foe exchanging your meter to a credit meter

mattcanary

Also, some suppliers will change you over to a credit meter if you agree to pay by DD at the outset and (often) you have to pass their credit-check.

Webbo - who was your supplier at your previous address? Did you pay them up to date and on time (on a quarterly meter)?
If you did, I would suggest you would pass their credit check.
I was with Ebico (use Scottish & Southern's billing system) before I moved in January this year. I had a good payment history with them but an atrocious credit rating (because of loan and credit-card debts - I have since gone bankrupt). I passed the credit-check and could have the meters changed to quarterly ones free of charge.

Scottish & Southern (it was actually them who took over my supply rather than Ebico , I was under the impression I was moving to Ebico but that's a different story!) did require me to sign up to a DD.

However, I asked for the first DD payment to be taken out of my bank account a good while after the meter change went ahead. About 10 days before the first DD was due to come out of my bank account, I phoned Scottish & Southern up, cancelled the DD instruction and they sent a payment card out to me.
(I don't like paying my fuel bills by DD as I know mistakes can be made by the supplier and it would then mean money comes straight out of your bank account without your sayso).

Cardew

specialsparky wrote: »

I think your wrong Cardew EDF will take your account and not charge foe exchanging your meter to a credit meter

Why am I wrong?

I am not disputing EDF might not charge for fitting a credit meter.

What I stated is that if someone is to be a new customer, and is already on a pre-pay meter, they will carry out credit checks before giving him potentially credit of hundreds of pounds.

specialsparky

See what you mean,I don't think that EDF will credit check, they will accept you with open arms and then agree to exchange your PP meter foc.
Give them a call Webbo and see what happens