OVO Ts & Cs - blanket permission to fit a Smart Meter?

ronnie_macleod

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

Verdigris

The meter belongs to the supplier. It is their duty to maintain its safety and accuracy. You could always go without gas and electricity, of course.

[Deleted User]

ronnie_macleod said:

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

Suppliers are allowed (indeed, encouraged by Ofgem)  to offer tariffs just for smart metered homes. If you accept the tariff offer then you agree to the terms and conditions that go with that tariff. In such situations, the supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to fit smart meters. If you decline the invitation, then the supplier will have the right to switch you to a non smart meter tariff.

If the supplier deems your meters to be end-of-life, it has a legal right to fit smart meters irrespective of your views. If they still have analogue meters and are prepared to fit them, they are entitled to raise a charge for fitting them.

dbks

[Deleted User] said:

ronnie_macleod said:

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

Suppliers are allowed (indeed, encouraged by Ofgem)  to offer tariffs just for smart metered homes. If you accept the tariff offer then you agree to the terms and conditions that go with that tariff. In such situations, the supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to fit smart meters. If you decline the invitation, then the supplier will have the right to switch you to a non smart meter tariff.

If the supplier deems your meters to be end-of-life, it has a legal right to fit smart meters irrespective of your views. If they still have analogue meters and are prepared to fit them, they are entitled to raise a charge for fitting them.

Before I suggest you agree to disagree on all this stuff, I'll give you the opportunity to post a link from an authoritative soiurce that might possibly support anything you have posted here. I suspect you will struggle, though.

dbks

ronnie_macleod said:

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

No, a smart meter is not mandatory
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/smart-meters/

QrizB

dbks said:

Dolor said:

ronnie_macleod said:

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

Suppliers are allowed (indeed, encouraged by Ofgem)  to offer tariffs just for smart metered homes. If you accept the tariff offer then you agree to the terms and conditions that go with that tariff. In such situations, the supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to fit smart meters. If you decline the invitation, then the supplier will have the right to switch you to a non smart meter tariff.

If the supplier deems your meters to be end-of-life, it has a legal right to fit smart meters irrespective of your views. If they still have analogue meters and are prepared to fit them, they are entitled to raise a charge for fitting them.

Before I suggest you agree to disagree on all this stuff, I'll give you the opportunity to post a link from an authoritative soiurce that might possibly support anything you have posted here. I suspect you will struggle, though.

OK, how about https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

• Promoting smart tariffs? Check.
• Giving circumstances when suppliers must fit smart meters, including when existing meters are EOL? Check.
  

bagand96

I assume the deal you are looking at is a tariff that requires one? For example from their quote page (albeit for new customers, but I assume they offer similar for renewing)

[Deleted User]

QrizB said:

dbks said:

Dolor said:

ronnie_macleod said:

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

Suppliers are allowed (indeed, encouraged by Ofgem)  to offer tariffs just for smart metered homes. If you accept the tariff offer then you agree to the terms and conditions that go with that tariff. In such situations, the supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to fit smart meters. If you decline the invitation, then the supplier will have the right to switch you to a non smart meter tariff.

If the supplier deems your meters to be end-of-life, it has a legal right to fit smart meters irrespective of your views. If they still have analogue meters and are prepared to fit them, they are entitled to raise a charge for fitting them.

Before I suggest you agree to disagree on all this stuff, I'll give you the opportunity to post a link from an authoritative soiurce that might possibly support anything you have posted here. I suspect you will struggle, though.

OK, how about https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

• Promoting smart tariffs? Check.
• Giving circumstances when suppliers must fit smart meters, including when existing meters are EOL? Check.
  

Thanks for the links.

‘We have observed that one way energy suppliers have been encouraging customers to accept the offer of a smart meter is through their product and service offers. We expect the range of innovative products and services linked to smart metering to grow over time, providing benefits to consumers, and note that energy suppliers are permitted to charge different prices for tariffs that require a smart meter and to apply entry criteria to a tariff.’ Source: Ofgem

dbks

QrizB said:

dbks said:

[Deleted User] said:

ronnie_macleod said:

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

Suppliers are allowed (indeed, encouraged by Ofgem)  to offer tariffs just for smart metered homes. If you accept the tariff offer then you agree to the terms and conditions that go with that tariff. In such situations, the supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to fit smart meters. If you decline the invitation, then the supplier will have the right to switch you to a non smart meter tariff.

If the supplier deems your meters to be end-of-life, it has a legal right to fit smart meters irrespective of your views. If they still have analogue meters and are prepared to fit them, they are entitled to raise a charge for fitting them.

Before I suggest you agree to disagree on all this stuff, I'll give you the opportunity to post a link from an authoritative soiurce that might possibly support anything you have posted here. I suspect you will struggle, though.

OK, how about https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

• Promoting smart tariffs? Check.
• Giving circumstances when suppliers must fit smart meters, including when existing meters are EOL? Check.
  

Thanks for the link

As it clearly states:
"You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. ..."

As I posted, I suspected @[Deleted User] would struggle

Gerry1

"Government policy does not prescribe particular requirements around smart metering and energy tariffs, and has made it clear that choosing to upgrade to a smart meter is not compulsory for households"

[Deleted User]

dbks said:

QrizB said:

dbks said:

[Deleted User] said:

ronnie_macleod said:

My current OVO deal is comming to an end, I've looked at the available deals from them but the new Ts & Cs (20 Apr 2021) have this at para 8.10: "You agree that we can make arrangements on your behalf to fit your property with a meter, plus the equipment that goes with it." If this was in connection with a new build or a replacement for a broken meter then fair enough I suppose but my concern is that it actually means they could come and replace my existing meters with Smart Meters (I don't want them) whether they are broken or not? Anyone have any insight into this or know of other suppliers that don't have similar Ts & Cs?

Suppliers are allowed (indeed, encouraged by Ofgem)  to offer tariffs just for smart metered homes. If you accept the tariff offer then you agree to the terms and conditions that go with that tariff. In such situations, the supplier will contact you to arrange an appointment to fit smart meters. If you decline the invitation, then the supplier will have the right to switch you to a non smart meter tariff.

If the supplier deems your meters to be end-of-life, it has a legal right to fit smart meters irrespective of your views. If they still have analogue meters and are prepared to fit them, they are entitled to raise a charge for fitting them.

Before I suggest you agree to disagree on all this stuff, I'll give you the opportunity to post a link from an authoritative soiurce that might possibly support anything you have posted here. I suspect you will struggle, though.

OK, how about https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-smart-meter

• Promoting smart tariffs? Check.
• Giving circumstances when suppliers must fit smart meters, including when existing meters are EOL? Check.
  

Thanks for the link

As it clearly states:
"You can choose not to accept an offer to have a smart meter fitted. ..."

As I posted, I suspected @[Deleted User] would struggle

Apart from replacing an end-of-life meter with smart meters (suppliers have a legal right of entry so homeowner permission is not required), no one is forcing anybody to sign up for a smart meter tariff. If a consumer chooses such a tariff, then they have AGREED via the terms and conditions that the supplier CAN fit a smart meter. If, subsequently, the consumer changes his or her mind, the supplier can treat it as a breach of contract and transfer the consumer to a standard non smart meter tariff. This is the situation that the OP now finds himself in. 

Can we expect to see you glued to your analogue meters when the Government finally mandates the rollout of smart meters? Take up is high enough at the moment to leave the choice to the consumer but suppliers continually push BEIS to make the change.