Switching from a prepayment meter

troydibiscuit

Does anyone know the legal position of a tenant wishing to switch from being on a prepayment meter to a direct debit with the gas/leccy company? Before we moved into the house the Landlord had changed the meters due to problems with previous tenants leaving and not paying the electricity bill! We found we're paying more than we need to for the supply, and we'd rather be on Direct Debit to save a bit of money, but the landlord doesn't want us to change the meters. Can he stop us?

Thanks in advance!

mute_posting

I'm not certain - but I would suspect he is within his rights to say that you can't alter the meters (in a similar way landlords can refuse permission to have water meters fitted IIRC)

Premier_2

I'd check the tenancy agreement carefully beforehand to see if this is mentioned at all. If there is no mention of this, I can't see what's stopping you (assuming your supplier is prepared to change the meter)

The landlord should not be bothered at all by tenants bad debts, especially with regards to utilities, if he has done his job properly.

When a new tenant takes over the property, the landlord provides meter readings to the utility companies and is billed up to that point. Most utility companies also request the name of the person or persons who will take over the supply (the tenant(s)) - although I don't think the landlord has to supply this as a pre-requisite to terminating his contracts.

When a tenant moves out, (and no new tenant immediately moves in) the landlord once again contacts the utility companies to inform them that he is prepared to take over the supply contracts until a new tenant takes over the dwelling. Meter readings are again supplied and the landlord is billed from that point.

Any usage during the time the tenant was responsible for the property is down to the the tenant to pay and the utility company should pursue that person not the landlord for any outstanding debt accumulated during that time.

The meter readings when the tenant takes over the property and later leaves the property should be on the signed copies of the of the inventory should there be any discrepancy between the meter readings provided by the landlord to the utility companies and any meter readings provided by the tenant for the same period.

ic

If you find you can't change the meter (personal I agree that you should be able to, as the landlord doesn't inherit any debt left behind by tenants), look at https://www.ebico.co.uk - they don't charge any extra for being on prepayment compared to direct debit.