Pre payment meter

csi666

Hi All

I found out today that the rented house I will me moving into in September is fitted with a pre payment meter.

This was a surprise, I got an email from my chosen energy supplier (GB Energy Supply) this morning saying they couldn't find my MPAN and MPRN numbers. I rang the current supplier (eon) who told me that it was a pre payment meter.

I absolutely don't want this. I know it's been the case previously that it worked out more expensive and don't know if this is still true however it's still far more convenient than just sending a reading every now and then.

I have spoken with my estate agent who is going to contact the landlord and ask if they are willing to allow us to have a credit meter fitted. I have also checked my tenancy agreement which states that a charge will be made if I allow the electricity or gas at the property to become disconnected - there is no mention of changing meter types.

The estate agent said she doesn't see that there would be a problem but that it is something she needed to check with the landlord.

All going well they will say it's fine to have the pre payment meter changed for a credit meter, however I need to know what to do if they say we have to stick with pre payment? Do I have the right to insist on changing the meter to a credit meter?

Thanks in advance for your help.

HappyMJ

csi666 wrote: »

Hi All

I found out today that the rented house I will me moving into in September is fitted with a pre payment meter.

This was a surprise, I got an email from my chosen energy supplier (GB Energy Supply) this morning saying they couldn't find my MPAN and MPRN numbers. I rang the current supplier (eon) who told me that it was a pre payment meter.

I absolutely don't want this. I know it's been the case previously that it worked out more expensive and don't know if this is still true however it's still far more convenient than just sending a reading every now and then.

I have spoken with my estate agent who is going to contact the landlord and ask if they are willing to allow us to have a credit meter fitted. I have also checked my tenancy agreement which states that a charge will be made if I allow the electricity or gas at the property to become disconnected - there is no mention of changing meter types.

The estate agent said she doesn't see that there would be a problem but that it is something she needed to check with the landlord.

All going well they will say it's fine to have the pre payment meter changed for a credit meter, however I need to know what to do if they say we have to stick with pre payment? Do I have the right to insist on changing the meter to a credit meter?

Thanks in advance for your help.

You can pay the supplier to change the PPM to a credit meter but the landlord also has a right to charge you to change it from a credit meter back to a PPM at the end of the tenancy. You are supposed to return the property in the same state as the start of the tenancy and that includes the meter type. Few landlords would charge you to change it back though as a credit meter is much more preferable to a PPM to future tenants.

As long as the savings are more than sticking with the PPM then go for it. They can't force you to stay on the PPM. Your contract is with the supplier.

45002

Landlords or Letting agent cannot stop a tenant changing a meter or supplier

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/news/landlords-cant-stop-tenants-switching-energy-suppliers

csi666

HappyMJ wrote: »

You can pay the supplier to change the PPM to a credit meter but the landlord also has a right to charge you to change it from a credit meter back to a PPM at the end of the tenancy. You are supposed to return the property in the same state as the start of the tenancy and that includes the meter type. Few landlords would charge you to change it back though as a credit meter is much more preferable to a PPM to future tenants.

As long as the savings are more than sticking with the PPM then go for it. They can't force you to stay on the PPM. Your contract is with the supplier.

Thanks very much.

Eon have offered to change to a credit meter free of charge however from what I've seen their pricing is not competitive in the slightest so will have to work out whether I would be better off sticking with the higher prices and free meter change or see if I can find a better overall deal elsewhere.

I will wait to hear back from the estate agent and with a bit of luck changing the meter and leaving it as a credit meter when I move out won't be a problem. I agree it's more preferable to future tenants - I certainly wouldn't have signed had I known it was pre payment. Live and learn!

Thanks again.

Nada666

You have the freedom to change the type of meter. But the landlord can ask that you change it back at the end of the tenancy (if they are stupid enough to want to limit the class of tenant they attract.) There is little reason for them to object (unless it is usually occupied by more than one household.)

You, however, are responsible for any charges the supplier levies for a change of meter type. Plus you are liable for any redecoration costs if the landlord is petty.

csi666

45002 wrote: »

Landlords or Letting agent cannot stop a tenant changing a meter or supplier ....

Thanks.

I knew they could not stop a tenant for changing supplier however I wasn't sure if the meter would be a different case.

As I've understood from HappyMJ I can have the meter changed however the landlord/agent could pass on the charge of changing it back to pre payment. In this case it may not be worth having it changed in the first place.

HappyMJ

csi666 wrote: »

Thanks very much.

Eon have offered to change to a credit meter free of charge however from what I've seen their pricing is not competitive in the slightest so will have to work out whether I would be better off sticking with the higher prices and free meter change or see if I can find a better overall deal elsewhere.

I will wait to hear back from the estate agent and with a bit of luck changing the meter and leaving it as a credit meter when I move out won't be a problem. I agree it's more preferable to future tenants - I certainly wouldn't have signed had I known it was pre payment. Live and learn!

Thanks again.

You can switch supplier as soon as the meter has been changed. It's not something you can do in advance though. You'll need to wait until the meter has been changed before initiating a switch.

csi666

HappyMJ wrote: »

You can switch supplier as soon as the meter has been changed.

That's perfect then. Eon said they would only change the meter if I was going to stay with them, however I wanted to research the process of having the meter changed in a rental property before going through with anything with them. I assumed they would put me on a fixed length contract with an exit fee however if they could put me on the standard tarrif then I will get them to change it and then switch over to GB.

Thanks.

HappyMJ

csi666 wrote: »

That's perfect then. Eon said they would only change the meter if I was going to stay with them, however I wanted to research the process of having the meter changed in a rental property before going through with anything with them. I assumed they would put me on a fixed length contract with an exit fee however if they could put me on the standard tarrif then I will get them to change it and then switch over to GB.

Thanks.

They wouldn't be able to force you on to a contract longer than your tenancy and charge you for getting out of that contract at the end of your tenancy. I would say that is unfair. Your initial tenancy is usually for a term of 6 months.

AnnieO1234

If they fit a new type smart meter it can be switched between ppm and standard. X

csi666

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

If they fit a new type smart meter it can be switched between ppm and standard. X

That sounds great - will have to look into getting one of these fitted instead.