Energy Provider Credit Checks

Mayweather96

Hello - how tough are credit checks run by energy companies? Are they Soft checks or Hard checks? I have defaults (Settled) from 3/4 years ago, and notices of a DMP around the same time. If I were to apply for a credit meter what is the likelihood I'd be accepted? Has anybody been accepted for a credit meter with bad credit before? I have been reading up online and one website suggests the checks are not as tough as one would think. Thanks in advance 

UnclaimedEnergy

It probably depends a lot on the supplier. Some might do credit checks, others may not. However I believe the majority will take you on if you have a pre-payment meter.

If you're already on a pre-payment meter then you would likely need to stay on it for at least a few months before a supplier would be happy to move you onto a credit meter, although it would likely be at this point that a credit check is carried out.

Scottish Power for example: "If you ask us to remove the prepayment meter for another reason, we’ll ask some questions to determine the suitability of a credit meter for your circumstances. This will involve a credit check and, depending on the outcome of that check, we may request a security deposit (usually £150 per fuel) before we can arrange to replace your meter. The security deposit will be repaid when you have made all payments for your energy bills on time over a year."

Gerry1

EDF don't run a credit check.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/#accordion-content-1334177364-0

TheEnergyThread

Octopus Energy run a hard credit check via Transunion, but they don’t affect your credit score with them.