New House has a Prepayment Meter! Don't want it!

SherlockFan85

Hello,

My OH and I are moving into a rented 3 bed semi in 3 week's time. We are currently with EDF duel fuel with a regular credit account which we have been very happy with, a monthly rate of £16 for elec and £35 for gas.

However, we have been informed that the new home has a prepayment meter with E:ON. We do not want a prepayment meter at all, and we'd prefer to stay with EDF. The tenants will be moving out of the property around the 14/04, while we move in on 21/04. Would we be able to arrange EDF to come in on the day of moving in and change the meters from prepayment to credit? Would we need to contact E:ON about this? I just don't want to get involved with setting up an E:ON account for 5 minutes then change back again to EDF. Apparently the landlord would be fine with the change to credit, i just want to make sure E:ON don't charge us in any way!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

spiro

Contact EDF and give them you new address and moving in date. They should be able to register to take over the supply from that daten and if you ask them they may swap the meter(s) for free although this is not guaranteed.

MustTryHarder

You need to register immediately with EDF for the new address. They can arrange for the geographic electricity company to change the meter to a credit one. ie anyone can bill an electricity supply but the meter belongs to the electricity company who supplied that area before the market was opened up. (ie in gas terms British Gas own the meter but EDF can bill for the supply)

If the meter is outside then it is easy peasy and the change can happen without someone being there. If it is inside then someone will have to be there to let the meter person in.

As you are already a customer of EDF then you have a history with them and so I am sure they are happy to change the meter over. Most prepayment meters are fitted to collect a debt. Rental properties sometimes have a new tenant every 6 months so a prepayment meter ensures payment.

IF you cannot get the meter changed before you move in DO NOT USE any card left behind by the previous tenants as any money you put on it will go towards their bill. You will need to get a new customer card. EDF can advise you on where to go for this.

Hope this helps, I used to work for npower many moons ago.

PNPSUKNET

not a chance to get the meters changed so quick, as your current supplier wouldnt be able to book jobs unless they currently supply.

Tupperware_Queen

and just to say, if its rented, you'll need to get the landlords permission before changing. Some landlords prefer PPM, as it means they don't get left with problems to sort out if tenants don't pay the bill on a credit meter.

Premier_2

Choose a different house - one that has the meters in you desire.

spiro

MustTryHarder wrote: »

They can arrange for the geographic electricity company to change the meter to a credit one. ie anyone can bill an electricity supply but the meter belongs to the electricity company who supplied that area before the market was opened up. (ie in gas terms British Gas own the meter but EDF can bill for the supply)

WRONG - lots of meters are now owned by parties that did not exist before market opening. The person who changes the meter is who the suppliers decides to do the job regardless of current meter ownership.

PNPSUKNET wrote: »

not a chance to get the meters changed so quick, as your current supplier wouldnt be able to book jobs unless they currently supply.

They can book they job when they like they just cant undertake the job until on or after their Supply Start Date so as a supplier I could book a job today for 28th April if the customer was moving in on that date.

t0rt0ise

MustTryHarder wrote: »

If the meter is outside then it is easy peasy and the change can happen without someone being there. If it is inside then someone will have to be there to let the meter person in.

They shouldn't change the meter if there's nobody there as they are supposed to check that everything relevant is off before they start and still works afterwards. They are also supposed to ask the occupier to check the flow on a meter thingy they have and sign to say they've checked it. Guy who changed my gas meter was very good in this regard. Same with the electric meter. They get you to check afterwards by plugging a gizmo into a socket in the house to see that all is well.

As you are already a customer of EDF then you have a history with them and so I am sure they are happy to change the meter over.

I don't enjoy the same amount of certainty as you do but they may get it done for free.

t0rt0ise

spiro wrote: »

They can book they job when they like they just cant undertake the job until on or after their Supply Start Date so as a supplier I could book a job today for 28th April if the customer was moving in on that date.

They could but I bet they won't. I don't think they like to book a job until the person has actually moved in, in case they change their mind and the job has to be cancelled. British Gas made me call the day I moved in and then booked it for a week later. I would think that changing suppliers first would be more difficult too.

undaunted

Personally I'd have the current tennant / landlord sort this out before you move in (there may be a charge & if there is why should you pay it or have the hassle of sorting it out either way?)

PNPSUKNET

t0rt0ise wrote: »

They could but I bet they won't. I don't think they like to book a job until the person has actually moved in, in case they change their mind and the job has to be cancelled. British Gas made me call the day I moved in and then booked it for a week later. I would think that changing suppliers first would be more difficult too.

No they cant as suppliers use a system called rainbow, if the mpr is not in their ownership it wont allow the job to be booked.