British Gas prepayment - are we stuck?

Trixi

Hello, I'm hoping someone can help - previous threads on this topic seem to be a couple of years old...

We're currently on a BG prepayment meter. Not our choice - this was already installed when we bought our house. Since moving in we have twice (once in Nov, once this week) tried to get BG to set us up with a normal direct debit but have both failed their credit check. Neither of us have ever failed a credit check before so we're a bit stumped now - we have ordered credit reports from Experian which should be here soon.

Our previous supplier was Scottish Power - we were on a normal credit agreement and had no problems with them in 5 years - but I believe they charge over £100 for changing the meters. I called another energy company (EDF or N-Power) when we moved in and they suggested that we would have to get BG to remove/change the meters before we could switch.

So are we stuck with BG until they decide we qualify for whatever their criteria are? Or is there any way to switch to another provider with BG prepayment meters installed in the property?

Thank you in advance for any advice!

spiro

The fact you have a ppm does not stop you switching supplier. As a change of meter from ppm to cr is classed as a non essentially lots of suppliers will typically charge you to change them.

Nada666

It was your choice - you chose to buy that house. Compared to the cost of new curtains, carpets, a couple of pots of paint per room, etcetera the £50 or £60 to change each meter is pretty low. You may also have to stump up a (returned with interest after a year) deposit of £150 to £200 per meter.

But with average use you will easily save £200 and more per year if you change the meter. As you have bought the house it is an absolute no-brainer to invest in changing the meters. The return on investment is measured in a quarter or two, not years.

Trixi

Lol Nada - I never thought of it that way! I know some suppliers change meters with no charge and was just a bit irked that we seem to have 'inherited' British Gas and this tarrif with the house when we have never needed pre-pay meters ourselves.

If we can change suppliers with the meters in place as Spiro says I will be happy - I just got the impression that this was not possible when I rang up. Thank you both for your help.

datlex

I was with BG and "failed" their initial credit report. I checked my report, there was nothing on it that should have stopped me getting a credit meter. So I kicked up a fuss and went to the complaints department. Bit of polite persuasion and they agreed that I could have a credit meter!! I have now had a credit meter for a couple of years.

admania

easy solution, move to EDF, will take about 1 month, afterwards they will exchange your meter for free, no credit scores required, job done