Huge Deposit on Change of Name on Account

Irish_Bowzy

I went to have the electricity bill for my rented apartment changed into my own name from that of my landlord and was told that I would have to pay a huge deposit up front for the first 6 months to do this.

Is this standard practice?

Cardew

If you are not known to the Utility company(previous account) it often happens.

You are potentially applying for credit of £hundreds and if you do a moonlight flit they will have trouble tracing you.

Have you asked to pay by Direct Debit?

PNPSUKNET

most energy providers ask this these days or request a pre-pay meter be fitted. All those that steal or give fraudulent details etc are to blame.

billycasper_2

Is your landlord under contract to the supplier.? ring one of the other utility companies up and ask them what they would do, if the current supplier wont at least reduce the deposit then switch.

spiro

The request/size of a deposit will mainlky depend on 2 things:
1) Have you had an account with that energy supplier before, and
2) Your credit rating.

If the answer to 1 is no and the answer to 2 is bad then big deposit until you prove you pay your bills on time.

specialsparky

Try other suppliers, I don't think npower fro example charge a deposit.
Good luck

Premier_2

billycasper wrote: »

Is your landlord under contract to the supplier.? ring one of the other utility companies up and ask them what they would do, if the current supplier wont at least reduce the deposit then switch.

specialsparky wrote: »

Try other suppliers, I don't think npower fro example charge a deposit.
Good luck

The only problem is, the OP can't switch supplier until they have a supplier ... and to get one of those, they are being asked to pay a security deposit.

Sometimes, offering to pay monthly by DD will remove the requirement for a security deposit.

nPower

Hi Irish Bowzy

We wouldn't ask for any deposit up front when changing a name on a customers account or when switching to npower, and doing this isn't standard practice across all suppliers.

You're technically opening a new account when you change the name.

Hope this helps

Best,
Sally