Switching energy provider whilst BR

NINANinja

Hi
I need to switch my energy provider (nPower), as I can save about £200 a year in doing so.
I want to switch to EON.
I am still BR (until next month), and noticed that EON will do a credit check prior to any switch.
When I went BR one of my creditors was an energy company (neither of the above). Before then all my bills over years and years were paid up-to-date and on time.
Does anyone know if I'm likely to get through this type of credit check whilst BR? Should I wait until discharged?
I don't want a pre-paid tariff - I's rather stay put than that.
All views gratefully received.
Ta
Nina N
xx

TheGardener

I did it and there was no mention of the BR - It should be fine.

E.ON_Company_Representative

Hi Nina,

Yes we’ll ask to carry out a credit check first. The result will determine the type of payment arrangement we’ll offer.

We sometimes ask you to pay a security deposit when you join

E.ON or move into a property that we already supply. If we ask you to pay a security deposit we’ll charge you £200.00 for each fuel.

After we’ve credit checked you, we might ask you pay this. We’ll either ask customers to pay a security deposit or have a prepayment meter fitted.

If after the first 12 months you don’t have any debt outstanding and you haven’t had any debt collection take place for nonpayment in the last 6 months, we’ll refund you the deposit back.

I hope this makes sense

Amy

lilybankrupt

Thanks for this Amy.

I'm wondering though, what about if a security deposit is unaffordable and you live in a rented property and so can't have a prepayment meter fitted?

egrescrimp

lilybankrupt wrote: »

Thanks for this Amy.

I'm wondering though, what about if a security deposit is unaffordable and you live in a rented property and so can't have a prepayment meter fitted?

Why couldn't you have prepayment in a rented property? the meters don't belong to the landlords.

lilybankrupt

egrescrimp wrote: »

Why couldn't you have prepayment in a rented property? the meters don't belong to the landlords.

True, but I'm not sure my landlord for example would be happy, as it would mean switching back again for a new tenant? Also, our meters are all in a shared cupboard with the block manager only holding the key, plus I don't know whether a prepayment one is a different size, but if so I don't think it could be installed as there isn't room.

I'm already with E.On (no money owed) so very much hoping existing customers don't have to switch to prepayment or pay a deposit on going BR? Better to know now I guess so I can 'save up' and tell the OR why I have £200 'saved' as a 'reasonable expense'.

egrescrimp

lilybankrupt wrote: »

True, but I'm not sure my landlord for example would be happy, as it would mean switching back again for a new tenant? Also, our meters are all in a shared cupboard with the block manager only holding the key, plus I don't know whether a prepayment one is a different size, but if so I don't think it could be installed as there isn't room.

I'm already with E.On (no money owed) so very much hoping existing customers don't have to switch to prepayment or pay a deposit on going BR? Better to know now I guess so I can 'save up' and tell the OR why I have £200 'saved' as a 'reasonable expense'.

Do you plan on switching providers? if not then you should be fine if your bills are up to date. My supply continued uninterrupted and I'm not on prepayment meters.

There isn't much difference in size to be honest, it's not really down to the landlord to decide how your energy is paid for unless its specifically in your tenancy agreement (even then I believe it's unfair and I doubt it's really enforceable in court).

TheGardener

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Amy wrote: »

Hi Nina,

Yes we’ll ask to carry out a credit check first. The result will determine the type of payment arrangement we’ll offer.

We sometimes ask you to pay a security deposit when you join

E.ON or move into a property that we already supply. If we ask you to pay a security deposit we’ll charge you £200.00 for each fuel.

After we’ve credit checked you, we might ask you pay this. We’ll either ask customers to pay a security deposit or have a prepayment meter fitted.

If after the first 12 months you don’t have any debt outstanding and you haven’t had any debt collection take place for nonpayment in the last 6 months, we’ll refund you the deposit back.

I hope this makes sense

Amy

The above would be the main reason I didn't chose this particular supplier. Despite my BR, I had never missed a DD payment on my fuel bills in nigh on 30 years...I have never been asked to provide a deposit for my fuel despite my BR - check other suppliers terms.

NINANinja

Thanks everyone.
Eon- security of £400? As if someone BR's going to afford that. I'd rather eat.
To get round this my friendly landlord is going to do the switch & I'll pay him for whatever I use. You see, there are some people in this world who trust & value people, even BRs.
Nina
Xx

SomebodyToldMe

NINANinja wrote: »

Thanks everyone.
Eon- security of £400? As if someone BR's going to afford that. I'd rather eat.
To get round this my friendly landlord is going to do the switch & I'll pay him for whatever I use. You see, there are some people in this world who trust & value people, even BRs.
Nina
Xx

LOL.....being also BR (undischarged), I was tempted to look at cheaper fuel deals, but thought I would wait as I didn't want all the strings attached...and I wanted to eat too!!!

futurefree

Hi Nina N
I was with Npower when I went BR. They told me I either had to have a prepay meter installed or put the bill in someone elses name.
I rent and the meters were all in a shared cupboard, also I didnt want tell the landlord I was BR.
In the end I just put it in my sons name, if I need to call them about bills etc he gets on the phone and gives permission to speak with me then I sort it all out