Meters in Scotland

linneymaher

Hi there,
I wanted to ask about whether energy companies in Scotland can be compelled to remove their meters because we can't switch to another supplier until the meters are removed and it has to be by Scottish Power who refuse to do so although they can and have sent people round to read these meters.
Is it needed to go the legal route to force them or can Martin Lewis or his people have a word with them? Is there a solicitor who has done work like this compelling electric companies to do stuff?
Are rules different in Scotland?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

spiro

I don't really understand what you are asking.
All houses are required to have an electricity meter unless there is no longer a supply or it has been temporarily de-energised.
The rules are the same across England, Scotland and Wales.
Why can't you switch suppliers?

Neil_Jones

Why do you need the meters removed?

Why can't you switch to another provider?  As a general rule unless you're on some totally unique setup or you owe them a shedload of money, they can't really stop you.

As for "compelling electric companies to do stuff", well the proof is in the pudding so to speak and since you've only provided a general outline, it might help if you say exactly what's going on.

molerat

I suspect op is on one of the tariffs / metering systems that no one else will supply (without going down the specialist metering team route which would likely not be helpful if electric heating).  A bit more information would help.

thorganby

linneymaher said:

Hi there,
I wanted to ask about whether energy companies in Scotland can be compelled to remove their meters because we can't switch to another supplier until the meters are removed and it has to be by Scottish Power who refuse to do so although they can and have sent people round to read these meters.
Is it needed to go the legal route to force them or can Martin Lewis or his people have a word with them? Is there a solicitor who has done work like this compelling electric companies to do stuff?
Are rules different in Scotland?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Presumably because you are being held to ransom on a Scottish Power restricted hour tariff with two MPAN's.

Read this document by Citizens Advice

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/Global/CitizensAdvice/Energy/Energy Consultation responses/Restricted Meter Good Practice Guide.pdf

4. Ensure customers have a choice of tariffs

Suppliers should proactively target restricted meter customers who aren’t benefiting from their tariff

Some customers on restricted meters are not utilising their existing tariff or heating system in the most effective way. Suppliers should identify customers who aren’t benefiting from restricted meter tariffs, and provide targeted advice on how to minimise their costs by making better use of their current tariff or offering support to help them move to a better tariff.

If your supplier does not agree to your request to remove their meters and fit a more competitive industry standard meter e.g. E7 that will control your heating, then report them to the ombudsman.

Smart meters are still being fitted during the current conditions but SP obviously want to hold you to ransom for as long as they possibly can!

macman

OP, you don't want your meters removing, you want them changing to a type (presumably E7) that not just the legacy supplier (SP) will support. There should be no problem with this whatsoever, but it is chargeable.

Fyne

See sashahampton comments in this post, may be of some help.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/76595237#Comment_76595237