Brand New Customer - HELP!!

Sweetzler

I'm moving out of my parents house and renting a flat with my bf. The flat is electric only and on a prepayment meter. We want to change from the meter to billing asap.

I've spoken to a few companies and we will be charged about £50 for the swap but what I'd like help with is how to change from the meter to billing by doing it online. I want to process it online for discounts and possibly using quidco but really struggling as we don't have a previous supplier etc.

Any help will be great
Thanks

notbritishgas

Well you do have a current supplier, it is the one supplying the property now.
So when you move in take the meter reading and ring the present supplier giving them your details and the meter reading.
At this point you can ask if they charge for changing the meter, some do some don't.

You can then start to look around to see if it will be cheaper to switch, cashback could then be available.
Do a bit of homework first, because if you think switching will happen do not sign up to a tariff with exit penalties when you sign up to the present supplier.

SwanJon

Changing the meter and changing the supplier are two seperate things, and will need to be done seperately.
There's an MSE article on prepayment meters that often appears at the top of the page ( typical it's not there for me now) that will help.

macman

As above, you can't switch until you have registered for an account with the existing supplier, and obtained a new card or key..
All accounts are 'metered'. What you require is a switch from a PPM to a credit meter. BTW, a PPM costs the same as the supplier's Standard credit tariff. So only about 6% more than the best online discount tariff.
Your LL may object to you switching to a credit meter, or ask you to replace the PPM at the end of your tenancy. You will also be credit checked if you want a credit account.