Debt on prepayment meter - help

[Gill123789]

Hi Everyone,

We moved house today, got the keys for our new house quite late on in the day. The property is an ex rental house so has a prepaid gas and electricity meter, we were told it would just need topped up, however, when we’ve arrived it’s saying there’s an amount owing of £122 (picture attached).

I’ve contacted my solicitor, who said she will raise it with the sellers solicitor. I’ve arranged for a normal meter to be installed, but this isn’t happening for another week!

Does anyone know what I can do in this situation? Am I going to be forced to pay the debt if I want gas and electricity? I wasn’t even aware a prepayment meter could run up a debt!!

Call the electric company and theyll sort it a the prepayment account will be in the tenants name

I deal with this situation a lot. Just contact the energy company, tell them you've just moved in and the readings and they will clear the debt on the meter and set up a new account in your name

It’s probably the build up of the standing charges whilst the house has been empty .
the provider will clear the debt - that’s what happened with me anyway .

Thanks for the replies, I did try and call British Gas but they were closed by the time I called. I’ll call them tomorrow morning and hopefully they can clear it

We had this problem. Moved in and it had a £400 debt on the meter. Turned out the meter wasn't registered with any company and the previous tenants had been using it and not paying anyone...