Switching when on a prepayment meter?

tightasagnats

Hello everyone. I've just moved into a new house (3 weeks) and have prepayment meters for gas and electricity. I was told to wait a couple of weeks to request a switch to credit meters which I did but British Gas turned me down (elec) whereas Scottish power (gas) approved no problems. My credit record was excellent, but have just got a mortgage and BG says this can affect experian record.

I don't want to wait 60 days to possibly be refused again. Can I switch suppliers on a prepayment meter ? I was thing get them both in Scottish lower standard tariff then switch at some point in future.

dogshome

Yes you can

footyguy

tightasagnats wrote: »

Hello everyone. I've just moved into a new house (3 weeks) and have prepayment meters for gas and electricity. I was told to wait a couple of weeks to request a switch to credit meters which I did but British Gas turned me down (elec) whereas Scottish power (gas) approved no problems. My credit record was excellent, but have just got a mortgage and BG says this can affect experian record.

I don't want to wait 60 days to possibly be refused again. Can I switch suppliers on a prepayment meter ? I was thing get them both in Scottish lower standard tariff then switch at some point in future.

Oh yes!

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity

I don't think you having a mortgage will alone be the reason you have been denied credit by BG (unless you are/were in arrears). I suggest most homeowners who are supplied by BG will have a mortgage, and they are not all on PPMs.

I know in the past, we successfully requested a BG PPM be replaced by a credit meter and had a morthahe. But that was for gas (shouldn't affect matters) and we were previously a BG credit meter customer without payment issues (which is a factor BG consider).

I suggest you get consult the 3 credit reference agencies to get a look at your own files to see if there is anything amiss.
Remember, you could could be assessed as a 'bad credit risk' not because you have any previous bad credit history, but because you have a general lack of credit history at all.

trickytree1963

The main reason why BG rejected you will be if you haven't had a credit/billing energy account previously rather than your current financial status.

Try EDF , see if they will switch you from PAYG to billing after switching the PAYG over.

tightasagnats

Thanks all, what was bizarre was that I had preciously been a BG customer on DD and have plenty of credit history. No missed payments, no bad debts, etc.