Sorting Utilities When Moving House

jessleski

Hi,
Anyone know how you sort out utilities when moving house?
I am shortly due to move into a flat. I think both gas and electricity are with E.ON, but the electricity is on a pre-pay meter which I want to get changed (the landlady has said this is fine).
My understanding from a brief google search is that I have to ring the current provider first. Apparently though they will put me on an expensive tariff in all probability.
Do I have to arrange the expensive tariff with E.ON first and then change straight away? Or will E.ON lock me into something I can't get out of? Or can I bypass E.ON altogether and go straight to another provider?
Grateful if anyone is knowledgeable about this process.

dogshome

YES - As soon as you move in you must contact the present supplier and give them the meter reads, only when you have recieved their 'Welcome Pack' can you begin the process to change supplier.
As the Elec meter is pre-pay, you must get a new Card/Key from them to top it up

sdfg123

We have just moved and not having been told (despite contacting relevant companies)for a month we have been charged 1 months standard charges with Scottish power which could have been halved had we been notified earlier. A scottish power tact i think. i have gone onto a cheaper rate now with no exit fees so i can change provider straight away.
if you ask the company to change the meter they may ask for a deposit - we had to pay £125 i think it was and we were then tied in with them for a year so get the company you find to be the best on price comparisons to change the meter for you - that was a couple of years ago so may be different now
Also watch out for the quotes and real cost of your electric. check the price per kw and standard charges.
I did quotes through the price comparison websites and wrote all the itemised costs down - when i went onto my scottish power account they quoted for my monthly direct debit payment £5per month cheaper than other quotes on price comparison- but when i looked into it their itemised prices were higher so when i worked it out properly i would actually be spending £75 per month yet they were going to set up a direct debit for £45 - i have spoken to a few people and its a way of 'tying you in' so that you will accept what looks like a lower price but in actual fact will be accruing a debt every month so when you come to move tariffs again you will be left with a big chunk of money to be released form the contract.

SummerFun

sdfg123 wrote: »

We have just moved and not having been told (despite contacting relevant companies)for a month we have been charged 1 months standard charges with Scottish power which could have been halved had we been notified earlier. A scottish power tact i think. i have gone onto a cheaper rate now with no exit fees so i can change provider straight away.
if you ask the company to change the meter they may ask for a deposit - we had to pay £125 i think it was and we were then tied in with them for a year so get the company you find to be the best on price comparisons to change the meter for you - that was a couple of years ago so may be different now
Also watch out for the quotes and real cost of your electric. check the price per kw and standard charges.
I did quotes through the price comparison websites and wrote all the itemised costs down - when i went onto my scottish power account they quoted for my monthly direct debit payment £5per month cheaper than other quotes on price comparison- but when i looked into it their itemised prices were higher so when i worked it out properly i would actually be spending £75 per month yet they were going to set up a direct debit for £45 - i have spoken to a few people and its a way of 'tying you in' so that you will accept what looks like a lower price but in actual fact will be accruing a debt every month so when you come to move tariffs again you will be left with a big chunk of money to be released form the contract.

Good post

Unfortunately, I would normally say you were wrong on every count, but I guess this is summer afterall

My advice to anyone else reading this is do your own research - or ask on MSE :cool:

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

jessleski wrote: »

Hi,
Anyone know how you sort out utilities when moving house?
I am shortly due to move into a flat. I think both gas and electricity are with E.ON, but the electricity is on a pre-pay meter which I want to get changed (the landlady has said this is fine).
My understanding from a brief google search is that I have to ring the current provider first. Apparently though they will put me on an expensive tariff in all probability.
Do I have to arrange the expensive tariff with E.ON first and then change straight away? Or will E.ON lock me into something I can't get out of? Or can I bypass E.ON altogether and go straight to another provider?
Grateful if anyone is knowledgeable about this process.

Hello jessleski and hope the move goes well.

As dogshome says, let us know as soon as you take responsibility for the flat. We'll open an account for you from this date. If you give us meter readings, we can make sure the account starts off accurately. We'll also send you a new key for the electricity prepayment meter so you can keep it topped up.

Totally appreciate the stresses of moving and the many things that need to be done on the day. To help, you can use a form on our website to give us all the details we need to set up your account. Alternatively, we've a specialist Home Moves team (contact details are on our website) who will sort this out.

We'll be happy to look at replacing the prepayment meter with a credit one. There's no charge for this but you will need to pass an external credit check.

Whilst the prepayment meter is in place, we're limited to the tariffs we can currently offer. We've only the one prepayment tariff and one single gas tariff even for a credit meter. Neither has exit fees leaving you free to change supplier without penalty. It usually takes about two and half weeks to change supplier and we'll continue to provide the energy whilst the switch goes through. Once exchanged you'll have more choice of tariffs both with us and with the other suppliers. The independent price comparison sites will give you an idea of what's available.

Good luck with the move jessleski and hope this points you in the right direction. Let me know if you need any more information as happy to help.

Malc