Removal of Pre-payment Meter

Terrylw1

spiro wrote: »

4) Some landlords may require a ppm to be refitted when you leave and they could charge you for this.

How do they justify and enforce that when they have no right to the utility as they waived it in the tenancy agreement?

Isn't this the same as the clause stating your supplier is X which cannot be enforced?

spiro

Terrylw1 wrote: »

How do they justify and enforce that when they have no right to the utility as they waived it in the tenancy agreement?

Isn't this the same as the clause stating your supplier is X which cannot be enforced?

Because they say you must leave the property as it was when you arrive (meter was ppm) and one of the reasons LLs like ppm is not problems with tenants not paying bills. How they get it done and get the money dont know, maybe they register the supply, ask the supplier to fit a ppm and change the tenant whatever the supplier charges plus an admin fee.

amiehall

My tenancy agreement has a clause about NOT allowing pre-payment meters to be installed.

ChumpusRex

amiehall wrote: »

My tenancy agreement has a clause about NOT allowing pre-payment meters to be installed.

That is an unfair clause, and is therefore unenforceable. It's nothing to do with the landlord how you chose to pay for your utilities.

However, you MUST return the property to the landlord in the same condition it was received in, unless the LL agrees otherwise.

So, if when you leave, if the LL asks that credit meters be reinstalled, you must arrange re-installation (at your cost). If you don't the LL is quite within his rights to arrange re-installation, and deduct the cost + a charge for his time from your deposit.

This is important, because prepayment meters have a problem in that they must be attended regularly, or they will disconnect the utilities. Some buildings may be badly degraded if utilities are disconnected for any period of time (e.g. pumps for basement damp, controls or fuel for pipe-freezing prevention systems, security systems, etc.). So, if the LL does not have new tenants lined up, PP meters can result in a lot of extra hassle (for which the LL can charge).

Cate1976

I can see arguments both for and against both meters. For me, I'd prefer a credit meter to be able to get the best deals. If the house we move to has a PPM, I'll leave it till all benefits have been transferred.