problem with British Gas

Dawnd68

Hi

I have taken over my husbands gas account after he passed away. We haven’t had gas at the property since 2010 but the meter (prepayment) has never been removed. Anyway I’m having central heating put in and I phoned them to ask if I could go on a credit meter. They then advised me that I would have to pay the standing charge for the last 10 years. After lengthy discussions they waived the standing charge and I’ve been put on safeguarded pay as you go. I’ve asked for a credit meter to be put in. They said they had to do a credit check which I was happy with as my credit report is fine. They then told me I wasn’t showing at the address even though I’ve been here 20 years and have a mortgage etc.

The upshot is I failed the credit check. I’ve checked both credit files and the search isn’t even showing. I raised it with them but they said they can’t do another one for 6 months. I’ve raised a complaint and am waiting to hear. I phoned my electric supplier but they said If I wanted to change I would have to have the prepayment meter for six months!

I think I will have the same issue in six months! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

dj1471

Are you on the electoral role?

Dawnd68

Yes been on it since I’ve lived here.

Michaelw

You are lucky I passed a credit check with British Gas and had my smart meter changed to credit mode,their standard tariff prices were more expensive then prepayment and bills increased for me,I then had problems reverting to prepayment mode having a meter reader looking for non existent gas meter's in my home.

Today prepayment is good value as there is for me a £34 a year saving by paying by direct debit,this credit meter thing doen't really apply in todays market although thats my opinion. There is a cap on prepayment,there is priority support in the event of meter faults,a freephone number and a vulnerability net.With prepayment what you see is what you get their are no varying amounts in direct debits involved also your credit report is protected.

Are these government caps' more to do with a cap on rising inflation figures as well as a supposed protection as claimed?

[Deleted User]

Stick with the prepayment meter, don t worry about the old wives tales that prepays are the most expensive way to buy energy..They were at one time many years ago but not now. With prepay capping and subsidies they are as good as most fixed credit meter deals .BG s prepay rates can be beaten if you check with Uswitch
eg. my tariff with Bulb Energy for gas is 3.4 p kwh , 22p standing charges.. BG prepay in my area is 3.4 p, 27p standing charges..not much difference
BG have waived the 9/10 years standing charges because the debt would have ended if your late husband was the account holder.