Changing Electricity Meter in rented flat

Jedraith

Hello,
I'm currently on a prepay meter that was here before I moved in 12 years ago. The prepayment rates are so much more expensive than monthly payments would be. Am I allowed to switch it over to a normal meter providing that I replace it with a prepay if/when I move? My landlords are not very nice people (so I don't really want to approach them) and never do anything for the house and I pay for everything myself including decorating and repairs (I literally can't be bothered with the fuss and I do all the work myself so it doesn't cost a whole lot) 

AlexMac

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-a-better-energy-deal/switching-energy-supplier-if-youre-a-tenant/#:~:text=Your landlord can't stop,to install a prepayment meter.

theartfullodger

You are entitled to change supplier and account type which probably means change of meter.  Go ahead!  

Your landlord sounds the sort that should be banned

Falafels

When I was in a rented flat with a prepayment meter, I replaced it with a normal one. I informed the landlord, out of courtesy, but it wasn't a problem and they can't prevent it anyway, any more than they can prevent you switching utility suppliers. So I'd just go ahead. Given the relationship (or lack of) with your landlords, I wouldn't even bother telling them.

Jedraith

They've not been round in about 2 years, the letting agents are crap too. My kitchen window latch broke and I informed them and it never got fixed by them despite it being a window fire exit (I'm ground floor) I ended up getting it fixed myself. My rent is pretty cheap though and has only gone up £25 in 12 years and I've got 2 bedrooms and a garage so I don't rock the boat because there is not a chance I'd find a flat that is as cheap with storage space. 

I'm gonna shop round for a new leccy meter monthly deal cos it's costing me £30 a week at the moment. I've got economy 7 hearing which is awful and I never use it and have to use oil filled heaters. I don't have gas unfortunately for proper radiators  

Wanderingpomm

The LL can’t change the meter, only the bill payer can so just ring and get it changed 

Jedraith

I've been looking round and I'm confused, is Economy 7 a tariff? I want a normal monthly meter and whilst I do have storage heaters I never put them on because they let out heat during the day when I'm at work which is pointless! 

Mickey666

Meters belong to the utility companies don't they?  So why should they be any business of the landlord?

Squeaky9

Jedraith said:

I've been looking round and I'm confused, is Economy 7 a tariff? I want a normal monthly meter and whilst I do have storage heaters I never put them on because they let out heat during the day when I'm at work which is pointless! 

Economy 7 means your meter is able to take readings for off peak and peak times. Usually if storage heaters are your main source of heating then you’d be on Economy 7 because they charge up overnight on the cheap rate and then release it slowly during the day. What type of heaters do you have? When I had them in my first flat I had to put them on the lowest setting overnight and then, if I was home all day, gradually release the heat during the course of the day by upping the setting. If I was at work all day I’d leave them on setting 1 when I left and then open them fully when I got home. 

Jedraith

Squeaky9 said:

Jedraith said:

I've been looking round and I'm confused, is Economy 7 a tariff? I want a normal monthly meter and whilst I do have storage heaters I never put them on because they let out heat during the day when I'm at work which is pointless! 

Economy 7 means your meter is able to take readings for off peak and peak times. Usually if storage heaters are your main source of heating then you’d be on Economy 7 because they charge up overnight on the cheap rate and then release it slowly during the day. What type of heaters do you have? When I had them in my first flat I had to put them on the lowest setting overnight and then, if I was home all day, gradually release the heat during the course of the day by upping the setting. If I was at work all day I’d leave them on setting 1 when I left and then open them fully when I got home. 

I just use an 2500w oil filled radiator and heat whichever room of the house I'm in. My flat isn't all that big so I just move the heater round wherever I am. I work quite far away from where I live so I'm leaving at 6:45am and not getting back until about 6:30pm and I found that the storage heaters were rubbish and expensive for what heat I got out of them. I'm currently paying £30 a week for all my electric, which includes all my appliances as I don't have gas. 
I've bought some electric radiators to go on the walls and I was going to put the storage heaters in the garage but not been able to do that since I can't carry a storage heater by myself. 
I was hoping to go on to a normal tariff with the added bonus of not having to go out and get eleccy from the shop cos I can't even top up online. 

Slithery

Jedraith said:

I was going to put the storage heaters in the garage but not been able to do that since I can't carry a storage heater by myself.

You can, you just need to take off the front cover and remove all of the bricks before unscrewing it from the wall.