First Time Buyer

chewycov

It seems to be surprisingly hard to find info for my scenario though I'm sure it can't be uncommon. I've just bought a flat for the first time and I need to sort out energy. It was a repossession so the electric and gas were cut off, so I don't have an existing supplier per se. Obviously I'll need an engineer out to reconnect the supplies (which I'm hoping will be free lol) but I will also want new meters installed (previous occupiers prepay meters are still there). I'm not too concerned right now whether I'd have a smart meter or not. I'm told that energy companies generally charge for this (100 quid a meter!?) but I was wondering if you savvy lot are able to lend your knowledge and experience to me?

chewycov

Also should add on that there is about 50 quid of energy debt already on the electric meter, which obviously isn't mine, will I be liable for that or can I trust whoever the supplier was to chase up the previous occupier?

JJ_Egan

You must register with the existing supplier first as you are on a deemed contract .
Then you can look around for a deal .

dogshome

To find out who the present supplier is, Google "who supplies me Electricity/ Gas"
This gives you the phone numbers of the National Data base of gas meters, and the Regional ones for Elec Meters.

BE AWARE THESE ARE PREMIUM RATE PHONE CALLS

House_Martin

chewycov wrote: »

It seems to be surprisingly hard to find info for my scenario though I'm sure it can't be uncommon. I've just bought a flat for the first time and I need to sort out energy. It was a repossession so the electric and gas were cut off, so I don't have an existing supplier per se. Obviously I'll need an engineer out to reconnect the supplies (which I'm hoping will be free lol) but I will also want new meters installed (previous occupiers prepay meters are still there). I'm not too concerned right now whether I'd have a smart meter or not. I'm told that energy companies generally charge for this (100 quid a meter!?) but I was wondering if you savvy lot are able to lend your knowledge and experience to me?

Suppliers do NOT charge for replacing any meters , smart or dumb in the normal processes of replacing meters which have reached their end of life, approx 25 years.
Suppliers have been replacing meters this way since metering began.
Normally meter exchanges have been done by the local distributors in a quick efficient and cost effective manner.
Blame some government idiot for trying out a new way of doing it which is costing so much .That is to make it the task of the 50 odd suppliers to hire and train teams to work incredibly slowly changing only their own customers meters.Hence the ridiculous 11 Billion price tag ( and counting )

chewycov

Thanks people, it was actually just a case of opening my stopcock and getting in touch with the energy company to get keys for the meters lol. Also eligible for a free smart meter upgrade

FestiveJoy

dogshome wrote: »

BE AWARE THESE ARE PREMIUM RATE PHONE CALLS

Be aware of dodgy websites that may or may not exist that have such premium rate numbers.

None of the of official numbers on the official sites involve premium rate numbers. In fact they are all* included FREE within your free call allowance of your BT calling plan (and some are indeed freephone numbers :money:)

(* the only exception appears to be ESB Networks who are responsible for the Republic of Ireland, where an International number is given. However, presumably you only need to call this number if your supply address is in the Republic of Ireland. If you call the appropriate number from within the Republic of Ireland, you don't need to make an International call )

Enjoy the festive season everyone, and goodwill to all!

:xmastree::xmastree::xmastree:

macman

So the supplies were not 'cut off', as in disconnected, but simply isolated. Reconnection would most certainly have been chargeable.