Gas and elec prepayment meters?

carlih1

Hi, we're moving in a couple of weeks and wondered what i do about the existing prepayment meters? can i ring my gas co and ask them to just change them over? x

Premier_2

Do you mean the meters that are in the property you are moving to?

If so, they are unlikely to do anything before you register accounts with them, which is normally done on the day you move in.

Then they will explain whether, and under what terms, they would consider changing them.

t0rt0ise

You can ask them and see if they will do so and what they will charge. Most charge. One or two don't. And some won't change them for 12 months unless you've had an account with them before. Which suppliers supply the property?

carlih1

Yes, sorry the ones in hte property we are moving too. They are currently supplied by british gas and eon and we have british gas for both. x

Premier_2

carlih1 wrote: »

Yes, sorry the ones in hte property we are moving too. They are currently supplied by british gas and eon and we have british gas for both. x

You'll have to register with the two suppliers initially.

If you want to move the eon supply back to BG afterwards, then assuming you currently have credit meters and have not had past problems, it shouldn't be too difficult to get BG to give you credit meters for the new property - shouldn't be any charge

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi carlih1

I'm afraid, we have fairly strict guidelines about removing prepayment meters and replacing them with credit meters.

For rented properties, customers need to be there for at least 12 months before we will look at replacement. After this, we will need to carry out a credit check.

If all comes back ok, there is currently a charge of £51.06 per meter which is payable in advance.

Following the meter exchange, a Monthly Direct Debit needs to be set up to cover future usage.

The timescale for properties owned by the customer is not as great and we will look at these straight away subject to a credit check, payment in advance and a Direct Debit as above.

Where customers have had accounts with us before, their credit history will be taken into consideration.

There are different guidelines where there is vulnerability at the property.

Sorry if all this seems a bit harsh carlih1 but thought I should make you aware of the guidelines. Give me a shout if you need any more details as will be happy to help.

Malc

spinningsheep

Eon Malc, just out of interest, does that mean, if I was with E-On, on credit meters for my gas and electric, never had any problems with you, paid on time etc, but had a poor credit rating, if I was to move house to a property with prepayment meters, E-on would not remove them? Even though I had been a good customer for years previously?Seems madness to penalise a GOOD customer if thats the case.

Premier_2

spinningsheep wrote: »

Eon Malc, just out of interest, does that mean, if I was with E-On, on credit meters for my gas and electric, never had any problems with you, paid on time etc, but had a poor credit rating, if I was to move house to a property with prepayment meters, E-on would not remove them? Even though I had been a good customer for years previously?Seems madness to penalise a GOOD customer if thats the case.

I think what Malc means is that where you have been a previous recent customer of E.On and had credit meters, they would assess how you managed that credit with them (as opposed to perhaps using an external credit reference agency)

That's what BG do.

spiro

If are with BG now contact them NOW and tell them you are moving into the property 'A' on date 'X', they can then arrange to supply you there from that date.

I believe they will exchange the meters within a day or 2 of you moving in if you are already with them and have a satifactory payment history.

zombie_people

Im currentley in a similar position regarding a possible move and the house that i like having prepayment meters for gas and electric. Im with Npower so gave them and ring and asked regarding changing them.There reply was doesnt matter how long you have been with us its either wait a year and change for free or pay £60 a meter to change them sooner.Ive been with them 2years in this rented house and they did then straight away free of charge. Is there anyway getting it done cheaper?
(Sorry for hijacking the thread)
Zombie_people

spiro

zombie_people wrote: »

Im currentley in a similar position regarding a possible move and the house that i like having prepayment meters for gas and electric. Im with Npower so gave them and ring and asked regarding changing them.There reply was doesnt matter how long you have been with us its either wait a year and change for free or pay £60 a meter to change them sooner.Ive been with them 2years in this rented house and they did then straight away free of charge. Is there anyway getting it done cheaper?
(Sorry for hijacking the thread)
Zombie_people

Most suppliers now charge, this is because the company (meter operator) that does the work for them charges them. So they either absorb the cost or pass it onto the customer. Therefore to be fairer to other customers that dont need a meter exchange they are passing on the cost to the customer that wants the work done.