Confused by prepay energy meters

AndrewAfresh2

I've just got a place with prepay meters, which I've never had before & am not living there yet. British Gas setup the account, it took ages to speak to them. I did the topups, both gas & electric @ £30. When I went there yesterday, the gas meter menu went through a menu to unlock the valve, but there's still no gas or electric. Also meters say balance is £29.29 gas & £29.44 electric. HAN light on electric meter is flashing red, but I think that's just because I don't have the optional room display? Anyone know what to do next please? Thanks for any helpful replies

[Deleted User]

Hi,

the reduced balance figures could be because of deducted daily standing charges.

Is main switch on at fuse box, and isolation valve open at gas meter?

ILoveSittingDown

Have the services been turned off while the property is vacant? If there is a credit on the meter, have you checked the consumer unit is all switched on? For gas there is usually a handle next to the meter you need to turn 90 degrees to turn the gas on.

ILoveSittingDown

Also are the balances definitely in credit? As if there’s an old debt on the meter then it may take your credits off the debt and you could be left with a negative balance still

AndrewAfresh2

[Deleted User] said:

Hi,

the reduced balance figures could be because of deducted daily standing charges.

Is main switch on at fuse box, and isolation valve open at gas meter?

Thanks for your replies,

The big lever is in line with the gas pipe.

By main switch, do you mean this one or somewhere else?

twopenny

There is, as said, a standing charge for 'owning the meter' or having their fuel

It will continue to be deducted whether you are using it or not.

I had one when I moved in and there was a debt where the guy couldn't be **** to pay the small amount regularly when it was empty. In my case I noticed just in time and my solicitor got him to pay before I moved.

The pre pay rate is capped so not so bad. It's just annoying to have a limit on how much you can buy at a time so you constantly have to keep an eye on things and head for the shops.

AndrewAfresh2

ILoveSittingDown said:

Also are the balances definitely in credit? As if there’s an old debt on the meter then it may take your credits off the debt and you could be left with a negative balance still

It says "meter balance 30.44". As I topped up £31 for electric that makes sense. But still no lights come on

ILoveSittingDown

Is there any gas coming out of the hob?

ashe

twopenny said:

There is, as said, a standing charge for 'owning the meter' or having their fuel

It will continue to be deducted whether you are using it or not.

I had one when I moved in and there was a debt where the guy couldn't be **** to pay the small amount regularly when it was empty. In my case I noticed just in time and my solicitor got him to pay before I moved.

The pre pay rate is capped so not so bad. It's just annoying to have a limit on how much you can buy at a time so you constantly have to keep an eye on things and head for the shops.

The rate is capped, but at an amount higher than the non-prepay option. If people can afford it and it suits their lifestyle, they should switch to a credit meter. For prepayment the cap is £2017, vs £1971. Not a huge amount, but the unit rates are usually more expensive as well as the cap is only based on expected usage. 

When you moved in, you shouldn't have taken over the previous owners meter account. By contacting the supplier, they should have given you a new account with a zero balance. Quicker than getting the old tennant to pay for it, and you should have your own account anyway.