Help! Our New Home Has Prepayment Meters - British Gas being obstructive

lyndorset

Due to C-19, we had to agree to take a rental property from photos and were only allowed to see it once we'd paid the deposit and first month's rent.  Turns out it has prepayment meters.  I already have confirmation email from the letting agent on behalf of the landlord that we are allowed to change our suppliers as I'm a MSE avid and obviously always get the best deal I can.  My existing supplier EDF were very helpful but said that they could not supply the new address.  They found out who the suppliers were and gave me phone numbers.  I got onto them both quickly.  the first EON for electric advised that they would update the system and get the rate changed as the current meter is collecting debt. They said that I cannot do anything about changing to a normal meter until we have actually moved in. 

The gas supplier British Gas was a different matter altogether, after 4 phone calls over 3 weeks I eventually got through to the meter engineer appointment department to be told that another credit check would be done on my - they did one last week and that I'd probably fail  (What?!) I got cross and calmly told the call-taker that I always pay my bills, I don't want or need a prepayment meter and why does he think I'll fail the credit check.  He said we need to do a hard search before we can make the appointment for the meter to be changed.  He took loads of details.  But was not interested in my previous address of 6 years, only the current one of 10 months.  After putting me on hold for ages and then checking my maiden name again, he kept referring to me by my maiden name and told me I'd failed the credit check.

My credit score is not perfect.  It would be classed as average.

Now I've had a hard search done for no result and I've been told I only qualify for a prepaid meter.  My point is that every time I've moved house, I have just taken over the existing normal meter and had no trouble getting the best fuel deals.  Why does British Gas decide that I am not eligible for a normal meter, because there just happens to be a prepayment meter in the house I'm moving into?

I have no intention of going into shops to top up a prepayment card.  EON told me they will let me do it over the phone the day I move in and arrange the appointment for the change.  I'll update if any different.

Two of the first people I spoke to at British Gas 3 weeks ago, told me to advise the meter engineer department that I had already taken over the house and was waiting for the meter to be changed to move in.  They said as the current time was about three to four weeks, that, I'd be able to get an engineer within a few weeks of moving that way.

Now, I don't know what to do about it.  I have a hard search on my credit file for nothing and have been told I have to have a prepayment meter.  I don't qualify for a normal meter. I am fuming.  What about the many years of successfully paying by direct debit, doesn't that stand for anything?

I am a cancer patient and on the preferential list. I have told them several times that I am not going into shops to get the top-ups.  I'm not going to shops at all.  They won't budge.

I am wondering if there is an easy way out of this other than changing to calor gas.  Right now, we are moving in the start of September and will have no heating or hot water.

I just don't know what to do?

lyndorset

'few weeks of moving that way'  should say days.

Gerry1

Make sure you're on the Priority Services Register with British Gas - AFAIK it doesn't transfer from your old supplier.

What exactly did EDF say?  They probably meant that you can't just change the address on your existing account, but that you first have to sign up with the existing supplier at the new property before you can switch.

However, it seems you can switch to credit payment with EDF without a credit check, so that may be the way to go, especially as you've been with them at the old property.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/#accordion-content-1334177364-0

So the answer is probably to make sure you're on the Priority Services Register with British Gas (AFAIK it doesn't transfer from your old supplier) and then start a gas switch to EDF.

If BG block it, raise a formal Complaint via Royal Mail, ask for a deadlock letter and go to the Ombudsman upon receipt or after eight weeks if they don't send one.  You could also speed things up by submitting your Complaint to BG's Residential Energy Managing Director whose info can be found on the CEOemail website (search online).

t0rt0ise

That's typical for British Gas. You will have to change supplier once you move in and get the new supplier to change meters. I think it was EDF who did mine but it did take a while to get done. You need to sign up for an account with the current supplier first and then change suppliers.

You can top up online with British Gas. Check out their website.