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Original poster

Electricity pre-payment meter

13 replies

Stropalotopus83 · 06/04/2023 14:06

Can anyone please explain to me exactly how pre-payment meters work?

Please be gentle, I'm feeling really anxious and basically terrified. We owe a large sum of money to our electricity provider, this has built up over time. I have been trying to pay this off but it is is going very slowly and the increases to prices over the last year or so have not helped.

I have now had an email from my provider saying unless the debt is cleared in 30 days they will apply for a warrant for a pre-payment meter.

I am on a smart meter currently so does this mean they can change it without coming to my property? I am terrified that bailiffs and the police will turn up.

Also how does the repayment work? Does a percentage go to the debt and a percentage go to current use? Is it 50/50? I'm worried if the split is too high we wont be able to afford to keep putting money on it and will have no electricity - our house is completely electric, no gas or other fuels.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
Stropalotopus83 · 06/04/2023 15:30

Hopeful bump

OP posts:
Issynohosbox · 06/04/2023 16:07

My knowledge is limited but I do know they can only take a certain percentage (think it's 20% but don't quote me) for debt so no it won't be 50/50. We've been on prepay for years (because our HA insist so tenants can't run up debt and then move out) and I actually don't mind it, at least you can keep track of what you're spending and there's no nasty surprises when the bill comes in. Pretty sure the government have committed to bringing the tariffs down to match non prepay prices too so it won't be more expensive anymore. They can't and won't try to take 50% of your top ups though so please don't worry about that.

MeMyBooksAndMyCats · 06/04/2023 16:09

They will change you over their side with a push of a button, the lowest you can repay us 10 percent of each top up so don't worry you'll be okay.

Original poster
Stropalotopus83 · 06/04/2023 16:36

@Dwrcegin - thank you, this is helpful x

@Issynohosbox @MeMyBooksAndMyCats thank you both, you have helped put my mind at rest a little!

x

OP posts:
Comii9 · 06/04/2023 16:55

How much are you topping up per month? How many people live in your house?

You need to be putting around £100 a month on electric more if you have debt OP.

CakesInTheParlour · 06/04/2023 17:15

@Stropalotopus83 they do it to force you to make them a priority, to pay down the debt. It is set to collect a certain amount toward the debt per week. Go to CAB and get advice now about negotiating a payment plan rather than going onto a prepayment meter. The cost of the infrastructure is paid for by the customer so you will pay slightly more for your gas/electric. Whoever you are with have a look and see the unit cost and standing charge cost compared to what you are paying now.

I used to work for an electricity company. We were told we had a moral duty to not allow a customer to get into more debt, hence the prepayment meter. If you go to CAB they may be able to help you but you will have to list your income and expenditure. I am shocked that in this current climate they are fitting a prepayment meter.

As you are on a smart meter they should just switch you remotely to it being a prepayment meter. The warrant is only issued if you refuse access to the meter and it is inside the property. The meter belongs to the electricity company. Have a read of Martin Lewis

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/11/smart-meter-prepayment-switched-remotely-rights/

Emmaer78 · 25/04/2023 07:57

I'm with Utilita and currently owe them £275 for electric due to the ever increasing cost of living.
I pay 5% of every top up I buy.(I'm on prepayment meter)
Yes it will take some time to pay it off but at least its a manageable amount. Ask about the percentage rates on top ups.

FlemCandango · 25/04/2023 08:09

www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/check-prepayment-meter-rules#:~:text=Prepayment%20meters%20for%20repaying%20debt&text=Your%20supplier%20can%20only%20fit,to%20agree%20payment%20with%20you.

Make sure that your supplier is offering you all the options, consider applying for a grant to pay off the debt if you are eligible. Ppm are risky as you can self disconnect from your energy supply if you can't afford to top up and if you are in debt a proportion of every top up goes toward your debt. Only consider this option if you can afford it. Speak to a debt advice service like Citizens Advice, Stepchange or National Debtline. Get advice.

OnlyOpenMouthToChangeFeet · 25/04/2023 08:13

Hi OP, please look at making an application to the British Gas Energy Trust. They are a registered charity that help people who've got into energy debt, and can help with arrears upto £1500. Please note, you DO NOT have to be with British Gas to apply.

Also, does any member of your household have any health conditions, or do you have any children under 5? If so you are classed as vulnerable, which will make it more difficult for them to force a prepay meter onto you.

oOiluvfriendsOo · 25/04/2023 08:18

I've had a prepayment meter for years as I prefer to pay upfront after being in debt a while back.
At the time 20% of each top up was taken towards the debt, but if that's not manageable for you speak to them about reducing it.

Esmetempscire · 25/04/2023 08:32

I work as a manager in an outsourced call centre for one of the big energy firms. Forced switching to prepayment meters was suspended by Ofgem and not likely to restart until July at the earliest .

Do you have a smart or traditional meter in the property?

If you are struggling financially you should potentially be on the priority services register, are there any other vulnerabilities in the household? The more vulnerabilities you have registered the less likely it is you will be switched to pre payment as it will not be 'Safe and Practical' from a industry regulation lens to do so..

Have you spoke to your energy company to see if they can set up an installment plan for your debt at an affordable level consideringyour financial position? This would stop this kind of threatening debt follow up activity.

Also reach out to StepChange or citizens advice for independant advice and review of what's affordable. Both organisations often have a relationship with dedicated external liason teams ar the energy providers who may have more flexibility in terms of the support and forbearance they can provide.

BarbaraofSeville · 25/04/2023 09:00

Have you talked to your supplier, or buried your head in the sand/struggled on alone up to now? (Not a judgement, just querying the circumstances).

There's actually quite a lot of help available, but you need to talk to your supplier. Have a look at:

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-re-struggling-with-your-energy-bills-/

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