Prepayment meters - Steps to change supplier when moving in

bbarroso

I'm wondering if someone can give me advice regarding a prepayment meter...

When moving to a new property, does it suffice to just go to a supplier website and ask for the switch (and hence as the new key arrives the meter will be on that supplier and tariff) or do I have to first call the current supplier and ask them to change supply to my name (and issue new key/card) before my desired supplier can take over?

I have just been using whatever key/supplier the landlord has left me with and signed up for a service with another supplier in my name (assuming the card/key will be posted after the 14 day cooling off period?)

t0rt0ise

You should call the current supplier and open an account. They may send you a new key or tell you to use the one there which they will put in your name. If there is a debt on the meter from the previous residents, if you just use their key you will pay their debt.

bbarroso

There's no debt.
Only looking to know if I have to have my name on the current supplier before the change is allowed Thanks

[Deleted User]

bbarroso wrote: »

There's no debt.
Only looking to know if I have to have my name on the current supplier before the change is allowed Thanks

You have to register with the current supplier before you can switch. You are in a deemed contract with whoever is the current supplier.Don t attempt to switch before this. You will be responsible for the standing charges from the moment you bought the property until you pass it onto another account holder
The debt screens are a little hard to find on the key meter. The key has to be inserted , then press blue button to see screens "S " and " T "
There is another debt sceen relating to unpaid standing charges on screen "F " this will also show on screen "A " as a debt if there is nt enough credit on the meter.
Not sure if you need gas prepay advice but the debt screens on this are on 26 and 27
Prepay rates are quite good at the moment being well behind standard/variable rates but are due to rise shortly after the October revue

MrWB

You don't need to personally register with the current supplier if you're planning on moving from them, and I would suggest that you don't to ensure that there is no additional credit check (if you've just moved you're probably having several others take place anyway - so always good to minimise them - some suppliers credit check, others don't).

You do need to contact the current supplier, but don't give your name and ask for them to bill "The Occupier" until you move away from them. They will send out new keys/cards.

You can then move to your supplier of choice (who may credit check you, some do and some don't - but it's one check instead of two if you'd given the current supplier your details and they check). Then you can ask your new supplier to switch to normal credit meters if you so wish.

Some suppliers won't allow you to use prepay meters (like Bulb) and some won't switch from prepay to normal credit (like Ovo). To get around this you can switch to EDF (who don't credit check), ask them to switch you to normal credit meters and then switch to your preferred supplier.

(We bought in in June and have just gone through this process...)