Meter Top Up Sticks

Al_Ross

A friend is about to move into a property that has a meter that has a top up stick,like a pen drive.

Can she change suppliers straight away or still need to make contact with the current supplier and how  easy is it to switch to another provide if it's a meter with a top up stick?

QrizB

Always contact the current supplier. Not just because she'll be on a deemed tariff, but they don't want to take on any debt that already exists on the pre-pay account.

Al_Ross

And then is switching away to a different supplier straight forward enough?

QrizB

Yes, it should be, although it does depend on who the current supplier is!

Gerry1

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/#can

Best to get the landlord's written permission first if she's a tenant, because it could be seen as altering the property.

Al_Ross

Gerry1 said:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/#can

Best to get the landlord's written permission first if she's a tenant, because it could be seen as altering the property.

they allow the switching of suppliers,fairly standard no I believe.

Al_Ross

Would not be changing meter,although they do allow that,just the energy supplier.

Gerry1

Far better to switch to a conventional credit tariff, pre-payment is very expensive.  If the meter can be switched to a credit tariff without a physical change then so much the better, otherwise it would need landlord's agreement (or for her to change back before leaving, probably a chargeable visit).

Ectophile

Gerry1 said:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/#can

Best to get the landlord's written permission first if she's a tenant, because it could be seen as altering the property.

The meter belongs to the electricity supplier, not the landlord. The tenants have a right to switch supplier if they wish.

Landlords are known for switching to an over-priced supplier just before the tenant moves in, in return for a commission from that supplier.

Gerry1

Ectophile said:

Gerry1 said:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/switch-prepaid-gas-electricity/#can

Best to get the landlord's written permission first if she's a tenant, because it could be seen as altering the property.

The meter belongs to the electricity supplier, not the landlord. The tenants have a right to switch supplier if they wish.

Agreed, but the problem can arise if the switch is to a credit tariff (which will be the cheapest method of payment) and this also involves a meter change if the existing meter cannot be switched to credit mode.

The landlord could retain the deposit if the meter is not in prepayment mode at the end of the tenancy.