EON pre-payment to credit meter swap

als123

I'm a first time buyer and bought a flat, and when I moved in 3 days ago discovered it was a pre-payment meter which I do not want and was not told about!

I called E-on the supplier to switch it but failed the credit check as I've never used my credit card, I've never had an over draft or been in debt I've just always used my debit card.

They've told me I need to use my credit card and re-apply for a credit meter in 3 months and hope I pass the credit check then. It seems so backwards that I've never been in debt and got approved for a mortgage but not a credit meter.

Are there any energy companies I can switch to who will install a credit meter and not do a credit check or pass me despite not using my credit card yet? Help!

Streaky_Bacon

Here's a list of supplier who will switch it for free, it is likely that they will do a credit check.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/money-made-easy/how-to-switch-from-a-prepayment-energy-meter/

You may want to check your credit reports, just in case there is something that should not be there. Worth keeping an eye on anyway.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-to-check-your-credit-report

If there is nothing amiss then pick the cheapest of the above suppliers and try again.

It seems unlikely that most suppliers would fail you simply for not using your credit card.

MWT

Streaky_Bacon wrote: »

It seems unlikely that most suppliers would fail you simply for not using your credit card.

als123 wrote: »

I'm a first time buyer and bought a flat

It is not so much not using a credit card as not having any track record at all of repaying against a credit agreement.


If the only thing on record is the mortgage which has only just started then there isn't much to go on really...


It may be enough to just pay the mortgage for a few months, but it can't hurt to have credit card payments on the record as well.


Getting the mortgage was easier because it is secured against the property...

Streaky_Bacon

MWT may well be right, but you should still try to get off the pre-payment meter as quickly as possible.

It seems a little over the top because I am sure they would have taken you on if you switched to them as a new customer at a property with a credit meter already installed. Defaults and late payments might prevent that, but not a lack of payment history.

Check your credit reports (which you should do anyway) and then try a couple of different suppliers.

If you still have no luck, then you may need to wait a bit.

Kernel_Sanders

I don't understand why these companies don't just insist on a direct debit tariff if you switch from a prepayment meter. Wouldn't that guarantee they can take what they are owed (plus a bit extra for interest - free cashflow easing)?

MWT

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

I don't understand why these companies don't just insist on a direct debit tariff if you switch from a prepayment meter. Wouldn't that guarantee they can take what they are owed (plus a bit extra for interest - free cashflow easing)?

No, there is no guaranty that a direct debit will be paid, lack of funds or the customer cancelling the DD can both cause non-payment.