Prepayment meter- help!!!

[surlycurly]

Hi all, please help- I've just bought a flat and it had a prepayment meter. Basically it's run out of electricity and I don't have a key to top it up. I also can't seem to set up a new account for it either. Can anyone help that's been in this situation? I have workmen in tomorrow to do some work and I need there to be power! Any ideas?

1. Find who your supplier is: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/find-your-energy-supplier;
2. Contact the supplier and ask them how you can get power by topping up your meter urgently; I hope you can do it today . If it's a smart meter, they can switch it to the credit mode remotely.
3. In any case, ask them to put a credit meter rather than a prepayment one and then set up a DD

You can also contact Citizens Advice consumer helpline who should be able to help, but I think they only operate 9 to 5.

There should be a button for an emergency credit on the meter somewhere which will loan you a few pounds worth of electricity, but it's not a lot as far as I understand. Good luck!

Have you checked there’s not a card or key somewhere in the meter? ( in a slot or lying on top of part of the meter maybe?) Or in a kitchen cupboard or drawer?

Thanks folks- I've had to leave the flat and will try and sort something out. There isn't a key of any kind, or a card with a number on it, but I think I have found out the supplier. Can only phone after 9am but am working until lunchtime so not sure how I'm going to make it all happen!

There is a purple thing in the box which may be a key...

Yes take the purple thing to the local paypoint shop but don't put too much on as if the previous people haven't closed their account anything you put on will be on their account and may go towards paying any debt they have. Call as soon as you can to get the account in your name.

Amazing! Thank you!