Moving home & meters

JS477

If you're moving from a house that has a "conventional" gas & electricity meter to one that has pre-paid ones do you have to continue to use the pre-paid meters or can you get them changed to "conventional" ones by the energy supplier you were using in the previous house because you want to stay with them?

Ta

molerat

First of all you need to contact the current supplier of the property and get a new key and for them to reset the meter. You can then start changing supplier. You need to ask if your current supplier will charge to change the meters, some do it for free and some charge around £60 per meter. I am sure someone will be along shortly with who changes meters for free.

datlex

From experience I can tell you that you don't have to stick with prepayment meters. When I moved in here the property had prepayment meters with SSE, I changed suppliers to British Gas (they allow online top up which was handy in the short term) then I had credit meters fitted for free. You do have to pass their credit test. If you fail that go on to complaints and they can help push through the changes. I don't know about other suppliers.

footyguy

As molerat says.

The MSE article gives an indication of who charges what (at least for the big suppliers)

One option, once you have opened an account with the existing supplier is to then switch to a suppplier (as a PPM customer) who does not charge to change the meter (or any supplier of your choice e.g. your last one) and then get that new supplier to change them.

If you are renting, you should seek the written agreement of your landlord before changing any meter.

MeterMan

Speak to your current supplier, tell them your moving and that the house has prepay meters but you want to keep your credit meters.

You should have a credit file now which should be fine, the current supplier will set your account up ready for your move in date and an arrange for the meters to be changed over. (free or not)