Removal of Scottish Power Pre Pay Meter

Tobias136

My previous tenants recently moved following the expiry of the tenancy agreement. On further inspection of the property in readiness for the new tenants I noticed that Scottish Power have installed Pre Pay Meters for both Gas and Electricity supplies.

This was completed without notifying me, as the landlord. Is this not ‘unauthorised’ tampering of property? In discussions with Scottish Power customer services I was notified that if I wanted to proceed with the removal of these meters I would have to pay removal charges in excess of £100 including deposit of I believe £250 for each service!

They advised that as their contract is/was with the tenant and not the landlord they are not obliged to inform the landlord of the installation of the meters. Surely this can’t be the case and the landlord/ owner of the property would need to be informed of any tampering of the property?

I’m unsure of my options, as my new tenant has requested that they’d prefer to manage their energy bills via direct debits, but I don’t have the necessary funds to pay the removal charges and particularly the deposits. Any advice on my options would be much appreciated.

Can I change supplier as following investigations some ‘suggest’ they will remove the pre payment meters free of charge? I actually use Scottish Power for my personal home and will be progressing the switch to another supplier due to the disappointment in customer service received.

molerat

SP are correct. YOU do not own the meters, the energy suppliers can change THEIR meters as they see fit. You can bill the previous tenant for the costs of changing the meters back providing the tenancy agreement mentions it.

crumblepie

Why not keep the meters? No problems then with any outstanding bills when the tenant leaves.

I rent with a prepayment meter. I would prefer direct debit too but you get used to it. Bit of a pain in winter as it tends to use loads with the heating on.

If the meters have been installed you need to check there's no outstanding debt on the meter - it's one of the options you scroll through on the meter.

[Deleted User]

Hi Tobias136, molerat is correct. Possibly the tenants ran up a big bill. I would advise keeping the prepay meters in .I see may examples of tenants doing a "runner " from thousands of pounds of free energy. Prepays are not that bad nowadays being on standard tariff. The new tenants would need to pass a credit check now if they want them removed. the debt (if any ) on the meter should ve been wiped by the new tenants key and card. Electric prepay debt is viewable on screen "S " only with a key inserted. Gas , I think , is on screen 27

[Deleted User]

Hi,

Tobias136 wrote: »

My previous tenants recently moved following the expiry of the tenancy agreement. On further inspection of the property in readiness for the new tenants I noticed that Scottish Power have installed Pre Pay Meters for both Gas and Electricity supplies.

This was completed without notifying me, as the landlord. Is this not ‘unauthorised’ tampering of property? In discussions with Scottish Power customer services I was notified that if I wanted to proceed with the removal of these meters I would have to pay removal charges in excess of £100 including deposit of I believe £250 for each service!

They advised that as their contract is/was with the tenant and not the landlord they are not obliged to inform the landlord of the installation of the meters. Surely this can’t be the case and the landlord/ owner of the property would need to be informed of any tampering of the property?

The previous tenants must have requested Pre Pay meters either because they found it easier to budget or were in debt.

They maybe should have asked/informed you of the proposed meter change, you could try chasing them for the cost of changing back.

I wouldn't call a legitimate meter change, 'unauthorised tampering of property'.

bob_bank_spanker

Will echo previous posters, nothing to you with you what happens to the meters, they belong to the energy supplier.

As for the matter of getting them replaced. At the risk of sounding controversial, it depends what the target market of the property is. If it's at the lower end, keep them, it avoids any future problems of dodgy tenants shirking bills.

However, as a professional (admittedly I haven't rented for 3 years), I wouldn't consider a property with PPM's. I want to control my own energy bills, and that includes my payment method.

Awkward, but no blame to the energy company in this instance.

chanz4

100% all correct, the landlord or even home owner does not own the meters.

Wail

My contract stated that I had to pay to revert meters back to Credit if they were changed to PP

It depends on the target market of your property. You would be receiving a lower offer if you had PPs

chanz4

they cant enforce it

Wywth

Tobias136 wrote: »

My previous tenants recently moved following the expiry of the tenancy agreement. On further inspection of the property in readiness for the new tenants I noticed that Scottish Power have installed Pre Pay Meters for both Gas and Electricity supplies.

This was completed without notifying me, as the landlord. Is this not ‘unauthorised’ tampering of property? In discussions with Scottish Power customer services I was notified that if I wanted to proceed with the removal of these meters I would have to pay removal charges in excess of £100 including deposit of I believe £250 for each service!

They advised that as their contract is/was with the tenant and not the landlord they are not obliged to inform the landlord of the installation of the meters. Surely this can’t be the case and the landlord/ owner of the property would need to be informed of any tampering of the property?

I’m unsure of my options, as my new tenant has requested that they’d prefer to manage their energy bills via direct debits, but I don’t have the necessary funds to pay the removal charges and particularly the deposits. Any advice on my options would be much appreciated.

Can I change supplier as following investigations some ‘suggest’ they will remove the pre payment meters free of charge? I actually use Scottish Power for my personal home and will be progressing the switch to another supplier due to the disappointment in customer service received.

Hopefully you took a deposit from the former tenant(s)?
(Kept in an authorised way). You can claim the £100 from that if you have proof the property was not returned in the same condition as it was originally let.

You'll get the £250 deposit back when you let the property and the new tenants start an account of theirr own (or after 12 months if you don't let it)

Wywth

chanz4 wrote: »

they cant enforce it

Yes it can.

If a tenant fails to return a property in the same condition as it was originally let (fair wear & tear excepted) then the tenant can expect to pay.

Simples! :cool: