Advice needed. Trying to move off prepayment is proving to be impossible !

sam791

Currently with Utilitia after moving house last year. On Smart meter paying over the odds. I am wanting to move onto a credit meter and pay DD. I have spoken to the big six. I seems very complex. I have to have another prepayment meter in then pass a credit check then they will install a meter ? Some charge too. Is there a more simple way?

Cardew

This situation often arises because the applicant does not have a good credit record. Or simply the 'postcode lottery' i.e an area where the water company have problems with customers.


They might install a credit meter if you offer a large returnable deposit.

[Deleted User]

One of the best suppliers to switch to on this occasion Sam is EDF. Get one of their prepays in and you re almost there as EDF are one of the less stringent suppliers when it comes to credit checks .BG and Eon probably are best avoided. Eon even do a credit check on new customers on credit meters. Stick to your task because once with a credit meter there are big savings for direct debit one/two year fixes.EDF are also one of the more reliable suppliers anyway with some excellent dual fuel tariffs.
I have read about both Utilita and Ovo putting up obstacles and excuses in refusing to let customers on their smart prepayment meter rid themselves of their Liberty Secure meters. Are Utilita allowing you to move OK, and are they coming out to collect their meter back and leave you with a conventional card/key meter ?

moneysavingscouser

With Scottish Power, the process is that the applicant on a prepay wanting to go to credit meter, would be credit checked to see if a £150 deposit per meter is applied.

There may also be a cost to get the meter fitted, its around £50 per meter if your duel fuel.

All depends on credit checks.

Wolf3

I think the complexity you perceive is probably regarding the meter you have installed at your property and the other suppliers not updating their processes for this type of meter. Utilita Prepayment smart meters are not "supported" by the other suppliers, afaik, they can't issue a key that fits the meter and although the majority of these meters revert to a dumb credit mode on the transfer date, they still "need" to treat you as a Prepayment customer. Even with an external credit check, almost all the suppliers ask their Prepayment customers to remain on a prepayment meter for a period of time before they are willing to exchange this for a credit meter.
Therefore they need to change the Utilita meter for one they support and then change this for said credit meter.
Personally, i don't see what the benefit of asking for a credit check is , if your still demanding customers to stay on said prepayment meter for a period of time. Might need to be nice a polite and see if you can find a supplier who don't charge for changing the meter and ask them nicely to install the credit meter straight away

Mazza48

I am going through exactly the same thing! Utilita are absolutely useless! I moved in with my partner a couple of years ago, who historically had a prepayment meter. we have been trying to get it changed for 2 months now. He has emailed them and asked them to add my name to the account so that they will then discuss it on the phone with me as I am around more than him. When they have finally answered my fourth email they stated that they only deal with Prepayment customers and were unable to answer my question as to how I change to a credit meter. No reply as yet to his request to add my name to the account. I am not fussed about a credit check as we will pass that but I am loathe to keep paying over the odds for our gas and electricity. There seems to be no way forward with them!

I have just gone online and changed to EDF who state that the whole process will take 3 weeks and once we have had their prepayment meter for 28 days (they will send keys/cards out to us) then we can switch immediately! It was very simple. I would try that!