New house -stuck with prepay meters

welsh

Hello moved into my new house 3 months ago with a mortgage. The house was rented and has prepay meters. Tried to switch to normal meters with British gas but failed the credit check. I wasn't on the electoral role. So now I am but have a new credit card to buy furniture and my credit rating is only 817. Bg want it to be over 900 to allow me to have normal meters.

Phoned up another one of the big 6 who wanted £60 to change each meter and possible £250 holding deposit if my credit rating isn't good.

Does anyone have any ideas, sure the top up meters are more expensive but unable to change!

Thanks

Hugh.

macman

£60 per meter is a typical meter change cost, it's still heavily subsidised. Suppliers will sometime offer it FOC in return for your business.
It's normal for suppliers to credit check, as you are requesting potentially unlimited credit, and if you fail that check then an initial deposit is requested, usually refundable after about 12m.

[Deleted User]

You are not stuck with them, just get the credit score over 900. I ve never borrowed anything and have a lousy rating I expect, but theres ways and means of upping your score. You will save £120 in meter fitting costs with BG and approx 20% on gas/electric getting onto cheap year fixes plus get away with constantly watching the meters and topping them up.

Nada666

The return on investment for the £60 is less than one winter for most households. If you can't wangle other customers paying for it you should probably just pay up now so you can get it changed before winter.

jonsherwood

I had a very similar problem to this and eventually after a conversation with BG got them to switch. My account with British Gas from my previous property (which had a regular meter) was always managed well. Bills paid in full etc or with direct debits. When I moved I had a pre-pay meter in the new place and it was a nightmare. I barely use any gas and get rinsed by the standing charge. For example my last bill for gas was £29. £24 of that was a standing charge!

I too forgot to change the electoral register and after speaking to someone on the phone they strongly hinted that was an issue. I actually contacted them via twitter. The social media team were keen to help. After they refused me twice I told them I was off to another supplier and they called me back instantly citing common sense. They had looked at my past 2 year account history, noticed its well managed and agreed to a new install. If your accounts are managed well they'll be fine. If you're on twitter, follow them and have a go there

welsh

Thanks for twitter advice :-) sorted within a few hours of posting on there :-)