Credit meters and three year residence requirement

Laescha

I've just recently moved into a new flat with prepayment meters, so my immediate thought was to get off them (with the landlord's permission). I've spoken to British Gas, my current supplier, more times about this than I can count, and today, after a month, they finally say they're ready to do the credit check so I can get some credit meters.

That is, until I mentioned that I've been living overseas for the past three years and only moved back to the UK in June. Apparently, if you don't have a three year address history in the UK, British Gas won't even do the credit check. I could call them back up and give my parents' address, as that's where I lived until I moved abroad, and just pretend to have been living with them - which would give them exactly the same information as they'd get from my overseas address history but would probably satisfy their stupid requirements - but I'd rather not be quite so duplicitous. So, my question is: Which energy suppliers are willing to provide credit meters to customers without a UK address history? And do they all charge for the meter change?

chanz4

Laescha wrote: »

I've just recently moved into a new flat with prepayment meters, so my immediate thought was to get off them (with the landlord's permission). I've spoken to British Gas, my current supplier, more times about this than I can count, and today, after a month, they finally say they're ready to do the credit check so I can get some credit meters.

That is, until I mentioned that I've been living overseas for the past three years and only moved back to the UK in June. Apparently, if you don't have a three year address history in the UK, British Gas won't even do the credit check. I could call them back up and give my parents' address, as that's where I lived until I moved abroad, and just pretend to have been living with them - which would give them exactly the same information as they'd get from my overseas address history but would probably satisfy their stupid requirements - but I'd rather not be quite so duplicitous. So, my question is: Which energy suppliers are willing to provide credit meters to customers without a UK address history? And do they all charge for the meter change?

Also land yourself a cifas marker for good measure

Laescha

What's a cifas marker?

Edit: Ah, looked it up. I don't believe I would get a marker because, as a student, I was entitled to consider either my 'term time address' or my 'home address' as my address for most purposes. But you'll notice that the point of posting was to find an alternative solution regardless.

macman

Why are you so keen to get off PPMs? They cost the same as standard tariff.
The reason that suppliers credit check is that a credit meter gives you potentially unlimited credit. Without any credit or even residency history in 3 years, you're clearly a poor risk in their view.
Your other option is to switch supplier on your PPM, then ask them to swap you to credit meters in 6m or so.
Some suppliers will change the meters FOC in return for your business, but the average charge is £60 per meter. Bear in mind that your LL may require you to reinstate the PPM's at the end of your tenancy though-at your cost.

chanz4

As you were out the UK it would be fraud

Laescha

macman wrote: »

Why are you so keen to get off PPMs? They cost the same as standard tariff.

I'd be just as keen to get off the standard tariff, if I was on it. Apart from how mind-bogglingly inconvenient they are, PPMs really aren't a good deal - but of course, if I can't find a company willing to switch my meters for free, that might change things regarding cost.

The landlords are happy for me to leave credit meters. Apparently a previous tenant switched to prepayment without telling them, and they'd have asked him to swap back if they'd realised in time.