Switching Provider Half Way Through Smart Meter Installation

Ezima1995

Hi all,

I have a little dilemma you might be able to help me out with.

So, I'm coming to the end of my 12-month tenancy in a 1-bedroom flat. I've been with a certain provider from up north for the whole duration, paying for electricity only (there is no gas). For the last three months I've had numerous issues with accessing my online account to view my bills, enter my readings and pay them. On top of this, as a measure of dealing with having no more estimated bills I agreed to have a smart meter installed. Uh-oh, this has been an issue, too!

The engineer originally came to my flat to install the smart meter about 2 months or so ago, only to realise that the hub he had installed wouldn't be strong enough to relay readings to the provider. Since this has happened, the provider has stated that my account will be frozen until another engineer visits to upgrade the hub - this was over about two months ago! They sent a guy down, who I thought was coming to finish the job and be done with it all, but he told me they had sent him just to look; I had booked time off work for this, too ugh!

In summary, my smart meter hasn't been installed properly, I can't access my online account (they just keep asking me to reset my password... Nothing has changed or been fixed!!!) with the provider and I'm coming to the end of tenancy - meaning, I want it sorted before I leave. I've been looking at possibly changing provider, but I'm not sure how much hassle that would be and if they'd even upgrade the smart meter? Has anyone else had a similar experience? I could really do with some help on this one...

P.S. definitely not pulling my hair out!

Gerry1

If there's a problem, why haven't you been emailing or phoning your meter readings to them each month? There will always be a meter of some sort in place so you will be able to read it manually.

And why are you not paying by direct debit? Anything else will be more expensive.

You do seem to be making a rod for your own back !

Ezima1995

I have been phoning the provider over and over but they refuse to accept the new meter readings from the smart meter they partially installed. They told me I had to wait until they send another engineer to upgrade to the stronger hub/meter, but have failed to inform me when this will actually take place.

Because of their shockingly awful online system which won't work AT ALL for me - another issue I have called and emailed and tweeted at them about, but to no prevail - I can't do anything about it. All I can do is carry on ringing in hope that they will finally decide to visit and finish off the smart meter installation.

Paying a direct debit is likely cheaper like you say, but this is my first time paying my own bills and I didn't really know. I've got less than two months left in the flat before I move back home so there's nay bother in doing that now...

Gerry1

Ezima1995 wrote: »

I've got less than two months left in the flat before I move back home so there's nay bother in doing that now...

Make sure you tell them a few days before you move out, and send them the final reading on the day, keeping a copy of the final reading (preferably a video of the meter alongside a dated newspaper).

There have been several posts on MSE Energy about people being billed (and threatened by debt collectors) for usage by subsequent occupiers.

Ezima1995

Thanks Gerry, will definitely make note of that. I've stumbled across a few horror stories, so will try my best to take the proper steps to avoid it!