Prepaid metre

skm1981

rp1974 said:

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.

If you'd like, I can create a separate post asking if I should have checked the seller had a key to her metre cupboard and whether it was a prepayment one, then your posts would be relevant?  

To be honest, it's just not helpful.  It's like saying don't touch the wet paint after you've just touched it.  Pretty pointless.

Xbigman

If by key you mean the triangle ones common to meter cupboards then I'd borrow one from a neighbour to get in for now. Or Ironmongers sell them. 


Darren

rp1974

skm1981 said:

rp1974 said:

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.

If you'd like, I can create a separate post asking if I should have checked the seller had a key to her metre cupboard and whether it was a prepayment one, then your posts would be relevant?  

To be honest, it's just not helpful.  It's like saying don't touch the wet paint after you've just touched it.  Pretty pointless.

Please do as you see fit,regards.

Phones4Chris

skm1981 said:

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.

I see no-one has actually answered all your questions.
The previous owner's contract will have ended when they moved. You need to check the meter readings, meter numbers & etc immediately.
Phone Scottish power immediately as well. You don't need an account number, they can look up the meters etc from the address. Just select the correct options on the phone menu.
Check the situation as regards any debit or credit currently on the meters. Ask if the previous owner advised them they were moving.
Advise your details if SP haven't already got them.
Did you not tell your supplier(s) at you previous home you were moving (as well as give meter readings when you left) and your new address? Did you ask them if they can supply your new address and what the tariffs would be?
Depending on the previous, tell SP that you want to change to Credit meters, they will tell you what you have to do to do that. Ask about tariffs as well.
What you've read won't apply (you didn't say exactly where you read it and I haven't gone looking), but by the way you've phrased it, it applies to people who are moving from Prepaid to Credit.

skm1981

Thanks, yes we informed our service provider at our previous house that we were moving and submitted final metre readings.  We're not currently living at the new house, we're moving in on Tuesday, but we are going there today.  Will give Scottish Power a call today. We found a different number that we should hopefully be able to get through on.

The_Fat_Controller

METRE = 100 cm
METER is a device for measuring

MWT

... and yes, you are free to switch to a different provider once you've set up your account with Scottish Power., but not before.

Also as mentioned above, if the meter key you are missing is the one that fits a triangular 'lock' then you don't even need a key, can open it with pliers if you have to...

jbuchanangb

I hope your call to Scottish Power goes well. It is essential you start an account with them, as they seem to be the incumbent supplier. As you have found that you have prepay meters, you also start off using that technology, but with new payment card(s) linked to your account. You are responsible for the energy from the day you became the owners, not from the day you move in.
Once you know you are established with SP, you can ask them to change the meters to credit meters. They will want them to be smart meters too. I hope it all works out well.

Hasbeen

The_Fat_Controller said:

METRE = 100 cm
METER is a device for measuring

Thank god that you said that! The ops ignored all the replies with the correct spelling of METER in them LOL