Prepayment meter - switching supplier; how does it work?

Uplink

I've moved to a flat that has prepayment meters for gas and electricity fitted. I'm still to ask the landlord, but as far as the agent said I won't be let to switch to a credit meter.

How does switching suppliers work with prepayment meters? I can't find any information on the process itself anywhere. My google-fu is failing me. Do I just call the new supplier up and ask for keycards from them and then just use them with the existing meters? Do they have to come by and make the switch themselves? What happens to the credit on the meter when switching?

I'm just figuring out prepayment meters now. The landlord and the agent were not very knowledgeable. They just said "top up these cards and put them in the meter". It's just today that I read that I shouldn't be using a previous occupier's cards.

footyguy

Uplink wrote: »

I've moved to a flat that has prepayment meters for gas and electricity fitted. I'm still to ask the landlord, but as far as the agent said I won't be let to switch to a credit meter.

How does switching suppliers work with prepayment meters? I can't find any information on the process itself anywhere. My google-fu is failing me. Do I just call the new supplier up and ask for keycards from them and then just use them with the existing meters? Do they have to come by and make the switch themselves? What happens to the credit on the meter when switching?

I'm just figuring out prepayment meters now. The landlord and the agent were not very knowledgeable. They just said "top up these cards and put them in the meter". It's just today that I read that I shouldn't be using a previous occupier's cards.

You essentially switch in the same way. A PPM is only a different way of paying. Don't forget possible cashback!

So you have to provide a closing/opening meter read, and the old supplier will charge you up to that amount. Any credit remaining should be returned to you and you'll start again with the new supplier.

The only extra/different bit is that you will be given new a new payment card/key for use with the new supplier usually.

There should be no need for anyone to attend the premises. As usual, it's the same electricity coming through the same wires, recorded by the same meter ... just the people you are paying differs. (but in the case of a PPM you can probably still top-up at the same shops, just using a different key/card)

And yes, you should never use anyone else's card as you will be crediting their account whenever you top up.

[Deleted User]

The rates are pretty poor for all prepayment meters, there is little variation. Robin Hood Energy were offering the lowest rates last time I checked. If you are tempted to switch to either Ovo or Utilita they will have to come out and change the meters for their smart prepayment meters. If you are staying in the flat for a fair while you should think about getting the meters changed for normal credit meters. Rates are dropping quite a lot now whilst prepays and people on standard/ variable are paying through the nose. The gap is widening. Eg BG variable gas is 4.4 p/kwhr whilst the latest Eon gas fixed one year tariff is down to 2.6p/kwhr with a lower standing charge. Switch to Zog Energy and the standing charges drop to 10p a day with a gas tariff at 2.6 p.. (this is Yorkshire area tariffs )
You have a right to switch to credit meters unless it is in your terms and conditions. If not, you would have to reinstate the prepay meters when you leave or risk losing your bond.
Maybe the best bet would be to switch to Robin Hood Energy on prepays

Uplink

Hmm... My lease only says that I shall not change the energy suppliers without permission, but that permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the landlord rejects my request then I will ask for reason, but I am not sure where the line between reasonable and unreasonable lies.

[Deleted User]

Uplink wrote: »

Hmm... My lease only says that I shall not change the energy suppliers without permission, but that permission shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the landlord rejects my request then I will ask for reason, but I am not sure where the line between reasonable and unreasonable lies.

You may be doing your landlord a big favour if you let him know how much HE/SHE could save with switching. He/she may be a bit of an idiot and stays loyal to someone like British Gas for decades. The latest EON dual fuel fixed one year tariff is pretty good from a reliable company.
Personally I think the landlord is being unreasonable if the tenant is tied into one supplier but I can understand them not wanting them to switch from prepayment meters to credit meters. Its a common thing for tenants to move into flats with credit meters and leave when the suppliers turn on the heat when a year later no one has paid anything. Many prepays are force fitted just for that reason.
Robin Hood Energy prepay rates were approx £100 a year cheaper than the BG rates I selected when I checked on Ukpower.co.uk

SwanJon

As above - you pay the bills, you choose who to pay them to.
If the landlord pays the bills, then he can choose who he pays them to.

It is polite to let them know who the supplier is when you move out, but that's it.

You also need to get the accounts in your name. Phone the supplier, tell them the day you moved in (and ideally a meter reading from that day).
It is possible that the meter was programmed to recover a debt (either an old bill, or standing charges from when the flat was empty). Getting the accounts in your name will mean you only pay for what you use.

When you switch any credit will remain on the meter, but you will have paid the old supplier for the energy now being supplier by the new supplier. As such it is usually recommended to run the credit down in the lead up to the day you switch.

You may also want to look at changing the meters to get the best (DD) deals - again you only need the landlords permission if this would involve making changes to the flat (e.g. dismantling a cupboard to change the meter).


MSE Article on prepayment: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity?_ga=1.144790452.1613386606.1447932683

macman

You can switch to whatever supplier you want, that clause in your tenancy agreement is not enforceable and you should have struck it out.
You can also switch to credit meters if you wish, but at your expense, and the likelihood that you will have to pay to switch the metering back again at the end of tenancy.

Uplink

Good news. The landlord said I can do whatever I want with the supply, and only to let him know for his records. Comparison and cashback websites, here I come

Meanwhile, I will phone BG to get the current meters in my name, even if it's just for a short time. Maybe I discover something new, and it might help when the switch comes, as my name will be on record, not someone else's.

[Deleted User]

The fun will start now with a credit check before they agree to swap the meters. BG are one of the suppliers who you may get away without a charge to switch. Scot Power will charge over £200 per meter.EDF are known to do it for free. Sainsburys energy is linked to BG, i.e. it is BG, and they may have much cheaper rates than BGs .

Uplink

Boo... BG refused me credit meters. My scores are 593 on Noddle and 516 out of 700 on ClearScore (area average: 442, UK average: 380). BG use Experian, so I can't see how they rate me. The guy said that a good score won't get me credit meters from them - I need a great score. I can reapply in 60 days, but I'll check out the other providers first.

Should I call Experian and see if they can tell me anything?

[Deleted User]

Uplink wrote: »

Boo... BG refused me credit meters. My scores are 593 on Noddle and 516 out of 700 on ClearScore (area average: 442, UK average: 380). BG use Experian, so I can't see how they rate me. The guy said that a good score won't get me credit meters from them - I need a great score. I can reapply in 60 days, but I'll check out the other providers first.

Should I call Experian and see if they can tell me anything?

Try EDF, they have a less stringent policy than BG, anyone but Scot Power tho.