Prepay Gas & electric at new property

[PinkBuffalo]

I'm hoping someone can reassure me.
I pick up the keys to my first house this Friday about 4pm. I only found out a week ago on my final viewing that The current owners have a smart prepayment gas & electric meter that they pay for online.
I have just called the service they are with as thought I had to do this before I moved. Chap says I need to call them on Friday when I get the keys to give them the meter readings & that a card & key should be left at the property that they will change to my name so I can start topping up.
He said if there is no card & key left, still call them with the meter readings & tell them & they would sort me out ASAP. I told him I was worried about getting into debt, but he said this wouldn't happen.
I'm so confused, is this right? I just need to call them & they'll sort out so I can actually have gas/electric?
I feel so stupid. I don't know what I'm doing & having a really stressful year. I'm hoping a nice mumsnetters can say "yes just call on Friday & it will all be sorted out"
Thank you

It'll be fine. When you call them they will close the previous persons account and start a new account in your name. Any debt that was being recovered through the meter will then be chased by the company from the previous occupants. You will just pay for what you use, as long as you don't use the emergency regularly and remember to top up gas during the winter to pay for your standing charge you can't get into debt.

Oh thank You! Your username is very apt for me right now!
I have dyspraxia & was writing down what he was telling me thinking I don't really understand this.
Ok, I will just call them on Friday, and let them do what they need to do.
for making me feel better!

We had this and it took ages to get off prepay but that was because they had to physically change the meter. With a smart meter they will probably just need to do a credit check and then will be able to switch it fairly quickly. You might have to top up the cards or keys at a shop for a week or so or maybe set up to pay online. With prepay the gas and electric cut off when the money runs out (although you can get emergency credit) so you can't get much into debt with it, it is harder than with normal payment. Make sure you tell them you want to change to non prepayment if this is the case as it doesn't sound like they understand this. It is a good idea to if possible because it is usually cheaper.

Thanks kokapetl yes I will change to direct debit at some point. My main worry was how to deal with it on moving in. I don't mind having prepay for a while whilst I get settled & it gets sorted out, although it's a pain.
As well as changing to direct debit, I will want to change companies too, so will do that in one hit.
I was panicking about first day as this is my first house, and I've only ever been in a room with bills inclusive before so wasn't sure how it worked on moving in. I don't have any family who can help as I lost my dad earlier this year (my mum is severely disabled & doesn't understand things)
Good old mumsnet comes to my rescue though.