Prepaid metre

skm1981

We completed on our house purchase on Friday and when we got into the house, we noticed that they have a key for their electricity and gas.  Well I assume for both as there was a credit card type thing with Scottish Power on it.  Is it easy to get this switched over to a standard metre?  When I look on Scottish Power's website, it says that I may have to pay £150 per fuel in advance which will be credited assuming we pay all our bills in the following 12 months, but would these terms apply to me?  I've been a home owner for 16 years and have never once missed a utility payment and both me and my husband have excellent credit ratings. Also, say we decide that we don't want to stay with Scottish Power and want to switch to someone else, are we free to do that, or do we have to stay with that supplier if the previous owner was in a contract with them that is still ongoing?  Apologies if these are stupid questions, never had a prepayment metre before.

I did try and call Scottish Power today, but I can't get past the automated system because I don't have an account number, so I've emailed them, but can be a 48 hour response time.

Gerry1

If you use an existing key it could well have debt on it, so you need to get a new one as an interim measure.  Look at the meter and it'll tell you.

Prepayment Electricity Meter Codes

Prepayment Electricity Meter Codes

Prepayment Gas Meter Codes

Prepayment Gas Meter Codes

Prepayment Gas / Electricity Meter Codes

skm1981

Thanks.  They didn't even leave us with the key to open the metre cupboard so we've had to order one.

consequences

You've previously owned a home and yet you didn't check this when looking around?
And that you found out there is no key, again when looking around you didn't open every door?

[Deleted User]

consequences said:

You've previously owned a home and yet you didn't check this when looking around?
And that you found out there is no key, again when looking around you didn't open every door?

Besides the point now. What’s done is done.

skm1981

Yes I've previously owned a home, but it was my grandad's house that we bought off him before he died, so completely different circumstances.  People check metre cupboards when buying a house?  Well we didn't.  And yes, we went round and opened every single door when we got the keys yesterday, which is when we realised there is no key to the metre cupboard, I'm not sure how I would have known there was no key prior to that moment.  I mean when I went and viewed the property, I didn't go opening every single door and questionning if the owner had keys to each one.  

skm1981

[Deleted User] said:

consequences said:

You've previously owned a home and yet you didn't check this when looking around?
And that you found out there is no key, again when looking around you didn't open every door?

Besides the point now. What’s done is done.

Besides the point and completely irrelevant to my post to be fair.  I don't recall asking if I should have opened every single door and checked the metre cupboard prior to buying.

rp1974

skm1981 said:

Yes I've previously owned a home, but it was my grandad's house that we bought off him before he died, so completely different circumstances.  People check metre cupboards when buying a house?  Well we didn't.  And yes, we went round and opened every single door when we got the keys yesterday, which is when we realised there is no key to the metre cupboard, I'm not sure how I would have known there was no key prior to that moment.  I mean when I went and viewed the property, I didn't go opening every single door and questionning if the owner had keys to each one.  

Which is why your in this situation,no?.
Lesson learned for next time.

consequences

skm1981 said:

People check metre cupboards when buying a house?

Some do. Just check everything. You're buying it. Issues could be hiding anywhere. Including the need to rewire the place!!

 I mean when I went and viewed the property, I didn't go opening every single door and questionning if the owner had keys to each one.  

Well you've learnt something for the next house you buy!!

Hope it goes well getting the meter removed.
I've not had that problem but I would have discovered it at viewing as am nosy enough to check everywhere and thus had time to prepare it's removal. Not schadenfreude in the slightest.

skm1981

rp1974 said:

skm1981 said:

Yes I've previously owned a home, but it was my grandad's house that we bought off him before he died, so completely different circumstances.  People check metre cupboards when buying a house?  Well we didn't.  And yes, we went round and opened every single door when we got the keys yesterday, which is when we realised there is no key to the metre cupboard, I'm not sure how I would have known there was no key prior to that moment.  I mean when I went and viewed the property, I didn't go opening every single door and questionning if the owner had keys to each one.  

Which is why your in this situation,no?.
Lesson learned for next time.

Again, not relevant to my post is it?  

rp1974

skm1981 said:

rp1974 said:

skm1981 said:

Yes I've previously owned a home, but it was my grandad's house that we bought off him before he died, so completely different circumstances.  People check metre cupboards when buying a house?  Well we didn't.  And yes, we went round and opened every single door when we got the keys yesterday, which is when we realised there is no key to the metre cupboard, I'm not sure how I would have known there was no key prior to that moment.  I mean when I went and viewed the property, I didn't go opening every single door and questionning if the owner had keys to each one.  

Which is why your in this situation,no?.
Lesson learned for next time.

Again, not relevant to my post is it?  

Isn't it?,ok then.
Given current events easy enough to overlook something youd normally notice.
Maybe would have been a non-issue with a few minutes conversation with previous owner,or their agent.