new tenant bad credit

stacyh100

Im about to move in to new rented property, I have been living at my parents so I am not switching providers but just getting a brand new supllier.

My credit rating is pretty bad, but Im hoping to build that back at my new address.

Whats the best way to get a good deal without having to have a prepay meter?

help is much appreciated
xxx

brewerdave

stacyh100 wrote: »

Im about to move in to new rented property, I have been living at my parents so I am not switching providers but just getting a brand new supllier.

My credit rating is pretty bad, but Im hoping to build that back at my new address.

Whats the best way to get a good deal without having to have a prepay meter?

help is much appreciated
xxx

Don't think you can - the existing supplier to the rented property will carry out a credit check on you - they will either insist on a large cash deposit or more likely ,want to install prepayment meters.
Furthermore,if you have prepay installed then there may be a condition in your tenancy agreement, that you must return the meters to credit meters at the end of the tenancy - could wipe out any deposit you have with the landlord.

Nada666

brewerdave wrote: »

Don't think you can.

I doubt that. Have things changed so much? Just sign up with the existing suppliers on their credit meters. New tenant's history is only a problem if they wish to switch off from a prepayment meter. Phone the supplier to try to be put on a direct debit tariff immediately (check online first their short term fixes - particularly for whichever fuel the heating is on).

[Deleted User]

Nada666 wrote: »

I doubt that. Have things changed so much? Just sign up with the existing suppliers on their credit meters. New tenant's history is only a problem if they wish to switch off from a prepayment meter. Phone the supplier to try to be put on a direct debit tariff immediately (check online first their short term fixes - particularly for whichever fuel the heating is on).

Yes, I think thats correct, you can have the worlds worst credit history,have no intention of paying a penny of any gas and electric bills for a couple of years and not have a prepay fitted until the suppliers run out of patience and force entry to fit prepays. Its become a huge money sucker now for suppliers having to cope with irresponsible landlords letting out properties with credit meters ,with the tenants doing the usual runner later on .I am not referring to the OP s intentions here, just that it happens a lot now.
Brewerdave got it right though, thats how it should be working and I dont doubt that they will all start doing that at some point. The amounts of money fiddled by new tenants with credit meters must be worse than the amounts nicked in bypassing

brewerdave

Surely in this day and age of expensive energy ,suppliers carry out a rudimentary credit check??:eek: especially with all these requirements imposed on them ,to prevent customers getting into debt ( eg Spring account balances on DD accounts)

[Deleted User]

brewerdave wrote: »

Surely in this day and age of expensive energy ,suppliers carry out a rudimentary credit check??:eek: especially with all these requirements imposed on them ,to prevent customers getting into debt ( eg Spring account balances on DD accounts)

No, thats just a glaring anomaly that the suppliers dont seem to have got the sense to adjust. If tenants move into a prepay meter they go through credit checks to remove it. My 2 neighbours both did a runner owing thousands because the landlords were too lazy to get prepays fitted. Its happening throughtout the UK. As soon as the tenants see credit meters installed they look upon that as free gift of free energy depending on how keen the suppliers are with debtors . I think smart meters would stop this as they can be automatically switched to prepay mode for all new tenants until they prove their credit worthiness.

scaredofdebt

Energy suppliers are starting to do credit checks for credit meters now. If you have a poor rating then they will ask for a deposit before they will let you join them.

Landlords have to be proactive where new tenants are concerned.