changing from monthly to pre paid metres?

savingbee

Hi all,

I am set to complete on Friday, I was wondering how long after moving in I can switch to having pre paid meters installed? I have heard that you have to stick with existing company for a month before doing any changes, is this correct?

many thanks

jbainbridge

Well I think you will have to start off with the existing supplier. Don't think you have to wait before making changes ... though any changes could take weeks to go through.

ging84

people do not normally choose to switch to having prepay meters
this is normally forced onto people who have not been paying their bills
why would you want a prepayment meter?

Kynthia

It's unusual to hear of people wanting to change to the more expensive form of utility payment.

savingbee

well I've always had prepaid metres and never had anything different. I know it's more expensive but it's easier in my eyes

pawpurrs

They are more expensive, dont do it, just set up a dd for an amount that will cover usage.

Guest101

Ye and you'll knock money off the house value straight away.

aaroncaz

Just get a payment card.... pay every fortnight or week, rip off those meters I was paying in one week just for gas what I now pay for both electric and gas in 2 weeks!

John_Ma

Avoid the prepaid horrors. As stated before you will end up paying more for your gas and electricity. There really is no point unless you want full control of how much you use each week or month.

SwanJon

savingbee - When you move in, take the meter readings and call the exisitng supplier. Tell them you want to change the meters and ask when the next appointment is. The engineers will focus on emergency calls in the winter so it may be a while.

Yes, PP meters are more expensive per unit than DD, but exactly the same as paying the bill quarterly. However, most people use less whn paying as they go than they do on credit, so your overall bill may still be cheaper.

Best answer would be to combine both - pay by DD, but monitor your consumption by taking regular (weekly) readings. Most suppliers will let you put these in on their website so you caqn see how much it will cost you.

If you are not getting the meters changed (or once you have) go on a comparison site and find the best tariff for you. This may take a few weeks to complete, but you can start it on the day you move in.

originator

I much prefer my pre-payment electricity meter that I have at the moment,it's been in my ex council house since I moved in(nothing to do with me not paying my bills lol),and I fully i
ntend to get one in my new build house.I hate direct debits with a vengeance and have managed to whittle them down to 2.

edited to say it had absolutely no bearing on the price I got for my house either!