Moving Home from prepayment meter to credit meter

saintscouple

Hi,

I have a few queries in regards to our house move next month.

We are currently on the British Gas Essentials Tariff on a pre-payment meter. We have electricity - economy 7 only, and no debt on the meter.

We are on low income with income related benefits.

We are moving to a same size house some 70 miles away, which has electricity and gas with both on credit meters.

I see lots of posts from people moving house from credit meters to prepayment meters, but none the other way around.

My questions are these -

If we stay with British Gas on the essentials tariff, will they change the meters to prepayment meters as we would certainly fail any credit checks?
(we would certainly prefer credit meters as our new location is somewhat rural)

Are there any cheaper tariffs out there and should i consider switching suppliers once we have moved in? (as we currently don't have a gas supply i have nothing to compare it to)

Any help, advice, and thoughts are most appreciated as i haven't a clue what would be the cheapest options for us.

Yellowcard

If you request a meter exchange to PAYG they will certainly do that for you, essentials is the best deal you're going to get from BG, it's a fairly lower priced tariff designed for people who are in receipt of benefits, are of an older age etc.. and would likely experience a difficulty in upkeep of bills, affording gas/ele costs.

mattcanary

If you will find it difficult to charge up a prepayment meter (due to the rural location) and there is no prepayment meter there at the moment, you will not be forced to have one (as long as you don't run up a debt).

You can pay in instalments by Direct Debit or using a payment card (paying however much you want when you want before the quarterly bill comes in) at an PayPoint outlet

t0rt0ise

British Gas also offer a pay by internet for prepayment meters. They call it Home Energy Top Up. http://www.britishgas.co.uk/topup

Premier_2

As yellow card says, if you request a PPM, they'll almost certainly fit one for you
(usually the only reason they won't is because it won't fit, etc)

But you'll have access to better deals with a credit meter if you're happy to keep them.

You'll need to register with the existing suppliers at the property when you move in, but you will be free to switch supplier after if you so wish.

The supplier won't usually demand the credit meters are changed (unless you are a declared bankrupt, etc), but they may ask for a security deposit and/or payment monthly by DD.

saintscouple

Premier wrote: »

As yellow card says, if you request a PPM, they'll almost certainly fit one for you
(usually the only reason they won't is because it won't fit, etc)

But you'll have access to better deals with a credit meter if you're happy to keep them.

You'll need to register with the existing suppliers at the property when you move in, but you will be free to switch supplier after if you so wish.

The supplier won't usually demand the credit meters are changed (unless you are a declared bankrupt, etc), but they may ask for a security deposit and/or payment monthly by DD.

Many thanks for this,

I was hoping to just inform BG of my move date, give them the meter readings when i move in and stick with them as i've been very happy with the tariff.
But from what you've said i'll have to first register with the existing supplier, then apply for the energy to switch to BG and reapply for the essentials tariff.
Is that correct?

If so, is there a minimum term i have to stay with the existing supplier?

I would prefer the credit meters to stay, but was worried that they are subject to a credit check, which i know we would fail.

Premier_2

saintscouple wrote: »

...Is that correct?

Yes

saintscouple wrote: »

If so, is there a minimum term i have to stay with the existing supplier?

No, you can apply to switch as soon as you are registered with the existing supplier.

If you go on the standard tariff, there won't be any issues, but the supplier may try to suggest you take advantage of a cheaper tariff (and why not, you're going to be with them for at least 4 weeks until the switch actually happens), but beware of any early exit fees such a tariff may include if you accept it.

Joyful

Be aware that if you were put on the Essential tariff prior to October 2008 that the criteria has changed so you will need to be reassessed.

saintscouple

Joyful wrote: »

Be aware that if you were put on the Essential tariff prior to October 2008 that the criteria has changed so you will need to be reassessed.

Thanks, but we've only been on it for aprox 8 months.