The tale of the Eon key meter

jetsetterjoe

Hi all,

I'm moving somewhere that has an eon key meter. It's a one bedroom, third floor flat flat (no double glazing).

I've heard horrible testimonials regarding key metered electricity and I'd very much like to have it billed instead.

My two questions are as follows:

1. How easy is it to change to billed electricity (out gas is with British gas, so I suppose we'd just bundle it on with them).

2. What is the legislation surrounding our landlord's responsibility regarding our request to upgrade? As in, is it something he/she would have to take into consideration, or could he/she/ just flat out say no?

Thanks all!

Wywth

jetsetterjoe wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm moving somewhere that has an eon key meter. It's a one bedroom, third floor flat flat (no double glazing).

I've heard horrible testimonials regarding key metered electricity and I'd very much like to have it billed instead.

My two questions are as follows:

1. How easy is it to change to billed electricity (out gas is with British gas, so I suppose we'd just bundle it on with them).

2. What is the legislation surrounding our landlord's responsibility regarding our request to upgrade? As in, is it something he/she would have to take into consideration, or could he/she/ just flat out say no?

Thanks all!

Lots of details on changing from a PPM meter here:
http://www.moneysupermarket.com/c/news/how-to-switch-from-a-prepayment-energy-meter/0014939/

How then to get the best tariff
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity

I would suggest discussing the matter with your landlord. He'll either not care, accept your wish or advise the situation as far as he is concerned:)

macman

It'll cost you around £50 per meter if they charge, and you'll need to pass the credit check. Nothing to do with your LL unless it's mentioned in the STA that you need his permission to change the meter.
NB: a PPM costs exactly the same as the supplier's Standard tariff.

HappyMJ

jetsetterjoe wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm moving somewhere that has an eon key meter. It's a one bedroom, third floor flat flat (no double glazing).

I've heard horrible testimonials regarding key metered electricity and I'd very much like to have it billed instead.

My two questions are as follows:

1. How easy is it to change to billed electricity (out gas is with British gas, so I suppose we'd just bundle it on with them).

2. What is the legislation surrounding our landlord's responsibility regarding our request to upgrade? As in, is it something he/she would have to take into consideration, or could he/she/ just flat out say no?

Thanks all!

Hardly any difference in price these days and direct debit requires you to pay in advance anyway it doesn't make much difference to your cashflow. Credit meters where you pay after you have used the energy charge exactly the same as a prepayment meter.

Whilst double glazing saves a little heat escaping through the window you can acheive almost the same result by using thick lined curtains and keeping them closed whenever possible.

SwanJon

You will need to call E.ON & register when you move in, regardless of the next step - take readings and any other settings from the meter - you don't want to be paying charges from before you move in.
You will probably be credit checked to change the meter, but your current supplier may do that internally if they have enough history of you. You will need to switch to them if they are not E.ON.
Some suppliers charge for this exchange (see Wywth's link).

Your landlord has no responsibility to change the meter - I'm assuming it was there when you viewed and subsequently signed the lease. If it has happened since, you may have the option of cancelling the lease.

As Happy says, if you are planning to pay quarterly there is no difference in cost.

Good luck,

jetsetterjoe

From the sounds of things, I might as well stick with the meter.

All amazingly helpful and comprehensive answers!

Many thanks.

advantix

FYI EON do NOT charge to change a Prepayment meter to a Credit meter. You would just need to pass the credit check

jetsetterjoe

advantix wrote: »

FYI EON do NOT charge to change a Prepayment meter to a Credit meter. You would just need to pass the credit check

That's a very useful bit of information! I might well look into it. Thanks!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Hi jetsetterjoe

Already some great advice on here. Thanks all.

Just to confirm, as SwanJon says, let us know when you move in and give us the meter readings for the day you take over responsibility. This will allow us to close the old account and open a new one in your name.

We'll also be able to check if there's any debt on the meter belonging to the previous occupant. If there is, we'll have this removed.

If the meter key is still at the property, we'll give you an 8 digit number. This will link the key to your account. It will also make sure any payments you make hit your account.

If you don't have a key, we'll advise the nearest shop where you can pick one up. We'll also give you a code to programme the key. You'll need to wait a couple of hours and then take this code to the shop.

Bring the key back and insert it into the meter. This will clear any outstanding amounts and leave you with some emergency credit.

Once this is done, you'll be able to go back to the shop and top the meter up with credit.

As advantix says, we no longer charge to change a prepayment meter to a credit meter. We will, though, ask to do a credit check.

Hope this is useful jetsetterjoe. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help. Good luck with the move.

Malc

jetsetterjoe

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc wrote: »

Hi jetsetterjoe

Already some great advice on here. Thanks all.

Just to confirm, as SwanJon says, let us know when you move in and give us the meter readings for the day you take over responsibility. This will allow us to close the old account and open a new one in your name.

We'll also be able to check if there's any debt on the meter belonging to the previous occupant. If there is, we'll have this removed.

If the meter key is still at the property, we'll give you an 8 digit number. This will link the key to your account. It will also make sure any payments you make hit your account.

If you don't have a key, we'll advise the nearest shop where you can pick one up. We'll also give you a code to programme the key. You'll need to wait a couple of hours and then take this code to the shop.

Bring the key back and insert it into the meter. This will clear any outstanding amounts and leave you with some emergency credit.

Once this is done, you'll be able to go back to the shop and top the meter up with credit.

As advantix says, we no longer charge to change a prepayment meter to a credit meter. We will, though, ask to do a credit check.

Hope this is useful jetsetterjoe. Give me a shout if you need any more info as will be happy to help. Good luck with the move.

Malc

Very helpful indeed.

Sounds very straightforward.

Thanks for the help!

chris1973

Nothing to do with your LL unless it's mentioned in the STA that you need his permission to change the meter.

Actually most STA's mention that the property must be returned in exactly the same condition as it was let, and with exactly the same fixtures and fittings, and this could probably form a very strong argument in the event of a deposit dispute hearing.

Sometimes LL's fit prepayment meters for a reason, perhaps they have had a bad tenant who has fled town leaving them with 3 months worth of unpaid rent and a £5000 electricity bill for their 'growing' activities

There is nothing worse than being a new tenant and getting the Baliff's knocking on your door chasing up an unpaid energy debt left by the previous tenant. Yes, you are not liable for it, but it takes a lot of effort and sending a load of paperwork off in order to convince the Energy Company that the person no longer lives there and you are a new tenant, and we all know how efficient energy companies are in communication skills, just by reading this forum!. Often the LL doesn't want the hassle of it either, and so will fit a prepayment meter to lessen the risks of a debt during a tenancy occuring.

I would say, that given the large number of 'I've just had a £xxxx bill from....' appearing on this forum that its a good idea, as its clear that a growing number of people simply don't bother to read their meter, monitor their energy usage or their DD payments all of which is a dangerous mistake to make with a credit meter.

For this reason its a good idea and a basic courtesy to check with your LL that the meter has not been purposefully fitted by them, because of the behaviour of other tenants, as changing it without his / her permission may leave you having to pay to have it changed back again at the end of your tenancy, or risk losing part of your deposit when the LL / Letting Agent discover you've changed it on their walk around.