Leaving a rented property with prepayment meters....

Kilty_2

I'll be moving out of the flat I'm currently renting at the end of April.

Do I need to do anything with regards to my prepayment gas and electricity accounts? When I moved in the previous tenant had left the key and card and I phoned the current supplier to inform them that I was now responsible for the supply. (have since switched suppliers but that's not important)

Tupperware_Queen

to save hassle for the next tenant, ring up on the day you leave and give meter readings and ask for the accounts to be closed. And if you have credit you can receive a refund.

I moved into somewhere where the previous tenant left a large unpaid bill (which I thought prepayment was supposed to prevent) and lots of other issues which took a while and a lot of effort to resolve.

Kilty_2

Thanks.

Only thing is though - won't they request I return the keys, meaning the landlord / next tenant has no way of topping up the meters when the credit runs out leaving the place without power/gas?

FYI - standing charges seem to rack up a debt on a prepayment meter - I was away from my flat for ~8 weeks and there was debt to be paid on the electric (now changed supplier to avoid the standing charge)

Premier_2

Not sure what happens to the existing keys, but a new account holder (landlord or tenant) should not use yours as it will simply credit your account.

They will need to contact the supplier to set up an account of their own. The supplier will send them a key and/or tell them how they can get one quick. I think they are available from the top up places.

Kilty_2

When I moved in the supplier told me it was fine to use the old keys if I was running out of credit but to switch to the new ones as soon as they arrived.

Tupperware_Queen

the new tenant can be sent or can purchase new cards/keys - its very straightforward. You should never use someone elses prepayment key or card, as there may be a debt to pay and their rates will be set higher to collect this.

Tupperware_Queen

meant to say, even on prepayment you still get a bill, you are supposed to check off your payments to make sure all payments have credited. If you use someone elses key/card, it doesnt go on your bill.

Kilty_2

Tupperware_Queen wrote: »

meant to say, even on prepayment you still get a bill, you are supposed to check off your payments to make sure all payments have credited. If you use someone elses key/card, it doesnt go on your bill.

How often do you get a bill?

Never been sent one in the 5 months I've been there, from the supplier I left nor the current supplier.

Tupperware_Queen

Kilty wrote: »

How often do you get a bill?

Never been sent one in the 5 months I've been there, from the supplier I left nor the current supplier.

Eon do them annually - not sure about other suppliers.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi Tupperware_Queen

Just a bit of info; regular prepayment statements are now issued every 6 months.

Malc