Options for Switching for Mother-in-Law on pre-payment Meter?

fiisch

My mother-in-law had a stroke about 4 years ago which unfortunately left her with very limited speech.  As a big Martin Lewis fan, I like to think I'm pretty savvy in terms of our own personal finances, but keeping on top of MIL's finances - particularly when she lives 2 hours away - is proving a bit more challenging. 

We've been attacking her monthly bills as even a modest saving can make a big difference to her disposable income, but I've left the best, and potentially most difficult, until last - energy suppliers.

Current situation is that she lives in a semi-detached 3-bed council house with her adult son and neice.  Both gas and electric is on a pre-paid meter, which I think is with either British Gas or Eon.  I think she tops up gas and electric at about £20 / week.  This seems excessively high to me compared to our own energy bills, although admittedly we have always favoured newer builds, whereas her house is circa 1950s, so may not be as energy efficient.

Is it likely worth switching from a pre-paid to a regular meter and pay by Direct Debit?  Are there likely to be any up-front costs for this?
If not, do I have any options in terms of searching for a better pre-paid tariff as notice MSE doesn't support pre-paid meters at the moment?
MIL finances are ok (no missed payments etc.), but son at the same address has a history of gambling debts - I believe this has long been resolved, but could adverse credit rating make switching to DD more tricky?
Any other pitfalls / things I should be aware of when switching suppliers on pre-payment meter?

As you can probably tell, I'm groping a little bit in the dark and working on limited information.  There is a lot more pressure when trying to sort these things out for a different household, but my wife is determined to get me to work my magic on her mum's bills after riding high on a 60% monthly saving on her Sky BB/phone/TV subscription...!

Gerry1

Stop thinking in terms of ££/week (whether prepayment or monthly DD), start thinking in cost per kWh and the daily charge.  Find out her annual consumption in kWh (find some bills) then start comparing with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?'.  Remember that separate fuels are often cheaper.

Prepay is usually significantly expensive than a credit meter, not to mention the hassle of topping up and running out of credit during lockdown.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/

macman

If the account is in MIL's name, then her son's credit history is not relevant, unless they have a financial association such as a joint account. Credit searches are done against the individual, not the property. Most suppliers will make a charge for a switch to a credit meter, typically £60 per meter. Unless she already has smart meters, in which case they can be put into credit mode.
Not possible to say if £20pw is high or not without knowing how the house is heated and hot watered, but monthly DD will certainly be cheaper on a competitive 12m fix.
If you simply open an online account in her name, then distance is no problem. The meter upgrade should take her to smart meters, so no need for you to submit reads regularly.
As Gerry1 says, start with annual kWh consumption.

Joyful

One thing to be aware of is for some people a PP meter keeps the cost of energy in peoples minds. With 2 or 3 adults in the house if it suddenly goes to unlimited energy they bills can get high. A few years ago I had an old lady who after her 2 sons left the house was £2000 in debt on each meter. They had changed her from a PP meter and ran up the bills.

Farway

Joyful said:

One thing to be aware of is for some people a PP meter keeps the cost of energy in peoples minds. With 2 or 3 adults in the house if it suddenly goes to unlimited energy they bills can get high. A few years ago I had an old lady who after her 2 sons left the house was £2000 in debt on each meter. They had changed her from a PP meter and ran up the bills.

Very true, only have to read some thread on here to realise this, assume a £20 a month DD is all you can eat and are honestly surprised when the truth comes knocking

I suppose with a smart meter the display will show cost in pounds, but those who are not paying the bill may not care, or notice