Pre-payment meters...will it affect selling the house?

gerturdeanna

We've got into a bit of trouble with the gas and electric and it seems the only way out is to have pre-payment meters put in. Will this affect the saleability of the house? We're hoping to put on the market very shortly (next 3 months max) as we really can't afford to live here anymore and selling will clear all the debts we have.
Thanks

merlinthehappypig

I can't see it being a problem. When we moved in it was a simple matter to get the electricity people out to swap it for a normal meter. It didn't cost us anything.

I'd just be up front and say that you had the meter installed to help with budgeting, but that you have checked with the electricity company and they will swap it back free of charge on request.

kitchen_buff

Pre pay meters are more expensive to use than normal quarterly bill, wont effect the selling of house because they can be easilly changed.

Badger_Lady

No - I wouldn't even bother checking as a buyer. As long as they aren't set up to charge extra for old debts!

(Took on a rental property once where the meter was swallowing £20 a week on a 2-bed terrace with no heating or hot water - previous occupants hadn't paid for 2 years!).

gerturdeanna

Thats good..I didn't realsie it was free to change it back when you move in. I can seriously consider that as an option rather than crippling myself with the 200 pounds Npower want per month!!!!!!!!!!

silvercar

gerturdeanna wrote: »

Thats good..I didn't realsie it was free to change it back when you move in. I can seriously consider that as an option rather than crippling myself with the 200 pounds Npower want per month!!!!!!!!!!

Be careful, Npower can set the meter so that the first X amount each week goes to repaying your arrears and doesn't provide you with any fuel!

You would be better telling Npower that you are selling up and will pay them a minimum amount monthly for now and settle in full from the sale.

gerturdeanna

I called and spoke to a very understanding lady. She agreed to start repayments in Feb!! Phew!! Have still got cash this month. Only downside its that is gonna be 114 per month!! Still serves me right I suppose for not paying my bills!!

clutton_2

""gerturdeanna" - i do admire someone who has made a b*lls up, admits it and gets on and trys to sort things out without trying to blame anyone else.

good luck to you !!!

gerturdeanna

How refreshing at the moment to have nice comments raised!! Some of the most recent threads I have read on all boards have been shocking at their 'nastiness!!'
Again Thanks

alan44

It's not really the sort of thing that will occur to most people, and even if it did would it really stop you making one of the biggest purchases of your life? If anyone asks just tell them npower will swap it back to a credit meter on request, which they will (after a few months of them not turning up).

It happened in the house I just bought, and there was a £1500 debt on the gas meter. Unfortunately this meant that only £1 of every £10 went to gas, the rest went to Scottish Power. But they sorted it out in a couple of weeks, and I got the money back.

As far as I'm aware it's not something you're onliged to disclose, and I doubt that even 5% of the population would think to ask. If someone's put off by that sort of thing then they're probably not really that keen in the first place.