Getting rid of token meter and getting cashback from a new supplier?

KILOCHARLIE

Just purchased my first property after moving out of my parents. The flat is in a dire state and needs totally refurbishing but am finally happy to be on the housing ladder. Plan is to renovate it over the next three months and once finished rent it out while going travelling around the world for a year.

The flat currently has a token meter for electric and the same for gas. Neither supply is on and it looks like the last owner (who died in the property around 2 years ago) has left money owing on the utilities. I won't need much electricity over the next three months apart from to use sanders and drills etc. and I only want to use the gas to make sure the combi boiler is working all ok. I would like the token meters to be swapped out to normal meters though so it is more attractive to potential tenants as well as being better for me when I return from my travels. I have also noticed cashback offers on this site as well as quidco offering up to £100 (npower) for my custom.

Would it be possible to somehow get a new meter installed as well as getting cashback, with the whole motive to cancel my account in 3 months time? With debt and a token meter installed in the property don't I have to go with the current supplier so that they remove the token meter and replace it with a normal one? If not then to get the cashback I would have to sign up online to a new provider and therefore I wouldn't get to agree on a replacement meter as part of the deal? Also am I likely to get cashback as a new customer and not a switcher especially as in three months and hardly any usage I'll be off?

Sorry for so many questions but it seems like a slightly strange situation and I'm unsure how to go about it without losing one of the benefits (i.e cashback if I call to discuss or a new meter if I just do it online or even possibly both if I ring the current provider)

Hope that makes sense and thanks for any advice

A.Penny.Saved

I cannot really advise in your situation but I can tell you my experience which might prove helpful.

I purchased my first home which had a card meter installed on the Gas when I purchased. I was with British Gas before I moved and continued with them in my new property and they said that they would replace the meter with a regular metered usage meter. My account with British Gas was in good standing which is why they agreed to change the meter to a regular meter. I shortly after moved suppliers but obviously the meter stayed. The electric was a normal meter so no replacement was necessary.

If you have no previous use with a supplier, they might be more reluctant to replace the meter(s) until you have proven that you are reliable with payments and not a credit risk. Those types of meter are frequently installed for people who are unreliable with payments.

Terrylw1

Do you mean key or card meters? Token meters were all removed per an Ofgem directive. Or is it a landlord token sub meter that's attached to a main credit meter?

Have a look at this link.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

Some suppliers will swap them out to retain or obtain your business. The standard reply can be that there is a charge to change them, but threatening to switch sometimes sees them being waived quickly.

Also, it wasn't you that caused any debt to make them fit those meters, so providing you pass a credit check, play on this as well.

You enter a Deemed contract with the current supplier though, so contact them. If you don't know how, re-post and I'll attach some links for you.