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Removing BG Pre-pay

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Hi,

I've just bought a house with British Gas prepay smart meters. I've been told you can't switch these to a new supplier easily? Is this true?

Do I have to tell BG to change the meters before I can do this?

Can i just try and change provider online and them sort out the meter?

Thanks
«1

Comments

  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,405 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you have a Smart meter operating in PAYG mode it will be set to credit mode if you leave BG. No need for a meter change.
    IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.

    4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).
  • System
    System Posts: 178,331 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 1 November 2016 at 9:00AM
    What you need is to get it set to credit mode and do a switch to Sainsburys Energys latest 2017 fix, one of the cheapest dual fuel s in my area.No need to switch supplier as Sainsburys Energy is part of the BG empire, they are just a white label brand..£30 quid cashback on this switch too and you keep the smart functions ( thats if you need or desire it ). Suppliers will not be happy paying out to change the meter . It is certainly compatible with nearly all the other suppliers apart from Ovo, Utilita , in credit mode. Those two suppliers will want to fit a keypad meter by Secure to operate in prepay or credit.
    I
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • SwanJon
    SwanJon Posts: 2,339 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If one of the 'traditional' pre pay meters, then switching is easy - you just have less choice than with a billing/DD meter. The new supplier will send you new a new card/key which will program the meter with their prices. When you top up at the shop, the payment will be sent to your new supplier.

    As above though you will have a better range (and price) of tariffs if you switch meter type. You can ask BG to do this, or switch and ask your new supplier.

    See the MSE article:
    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity
  • Thanks Guys, So I can change from Smart Pre-Pay to Smart credit, then switch elsewhere without any issue with the currently installed smart meter?

    Sorry for possibly dumb questions, I"m in house move hell and the boilers just packed up...
  • spiro
    spiro Posts: 6,405 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    bigfoot371 wrote: »
    Thanks Guys, So I can change from Smart Pre-Pay to Smart credit, then switch elsewhere without any issue with the currently installed smart meter?

    Sorry for possibly dumb questions, I"m in house move hell and the boilers just packed up...
    No, you just switch supplier and select a credit tariff with the new supplier. Meter will get reset into credit mode.
    IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.

    4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).
  • Hi all
    Please help me I am getting desperate:
    I have moved in November 2016 to a brand new flat on part buy part rent basis. I bought 35% with mortgage and pay rent for the remaining 65%.
    In the flat there has been pre-paid meter installed and the leaseholder refuses straight to give permission both to change it to credit meter and change the provider.
    Additionally I have been told that I cannot change the gas supplier currently VitalEnergi to a different company.
    They made me sign a heating agreement which was forced on and secured as covenant in separate agreement to leasehold documents. However I crossed out the part about the pre-paid meter.
    I believe this is illegal. I am the first ever person living there so no previous tenants there so no debt and I have always had a good credit and enjoyed credit billing.
    Since I moved I already had twice no hot water and heating, I have family to care for and baby on the way I cannot have this unreliable and incredible expensive situation anymore.
    I am the bill payer how they can refuse me the credit meter?? They even told me that I will never be able to install a credit meter even if I buy the 100% or change the gas supplier.
    Unofficially the solicitor from Southern Housing Group told me that they don't want "to set a precedent or have the admin effort"...

    That is just ridiculous. It basically cuts me off from the cheaper tariffs forever and makes me slave to the VitalEnergi.
    Please help me.
    Many thanks
  • hey have you seen my post? Have you bern able to change from the prepaid meter?
    pls see below my situation, many thanks!
    Hi all
    Please help me I am getting desperate:
    I have moved in November 2016 to a brand new flat on part buy part rent basis. I bought 35% with mortgage and pay rent for the remaining 65%.
    In the flat there has been pre-paid meter installed and the leaseholder refuses straight to give permission both to change it to credit meter and change the provider.
    Additionally I have been told that I cannot change the gas supplier currently VitalEnergi to a different company.
    They made me sign a heating agreement which was forced on and secured as covenant in separate agreement to leasehold documents. However I crossed out the part about the pre-paid meter.
    I believe this is illegal. I am the first ever person living there so no previous tenants there so no debt and I have always had a good credit and enjoyed credit billing.
    Since I moved I already had twice no hot water and heating, I have family to care for and baby on the way I cannot have this unreliable and incredible expensive situation anymore.
    I am the bill payer how they can refuse me the credit meter?? They even told me that I will never be able to install a credit meter even if I buy the 100% or change the gas supplier.
    Unofficially the solicitor from Southern Housing Group told me that they don't want "to set a precedent or have the admin effort"...

    That is just ridiculous. It basically cuts me off from the cheaper tariffs forever and makes me slave to the VitalEnergi.
    Please help me.
    Many thanks
  • You either go to court to sort this out.

    Or you change supplier without telling them, and tell them to take you to court if they find out.

    My guess is they won't bother....
  • rtho782
    rtho782 Posts: 1,189 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    VitalEnergi are a district heating provider, it's likely you have district heating and not gas.

    That is, there is one central boiler and you are charged for heat used, you cannot change provider.
  • System
    System Posts: 178,331 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You do not need landlords permission to switch to a credit meter but you may have to reinstate the prepay if you leave or risk losing your bond.It could be in the terms of your let that you stay with prepay/supplier, but if not go ahead and switch meter or supplier
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
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