Welcome

The NetRent Forum is a FREE forum to enable you to discuss the latest issues, seek advice and ask questions regarding all aspects of property letting and management.

If you are new to the site click here to register.

If you have already registered click here to log-in.

Only registered users are able to post a reply, comment or query.

Please note that the views and opinions expressed within this site are those of the specified authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NetRent Ltd or The NetRent Forum. No commercial advertising is allowed on the NetRent Forum.

 
 
Forums > Active > The Netrent Forum
Subject: Prepayment meter for gas and electric

You are not authorized to post a reply.   
Author Messages
Janine
Posts:3
07 Nov 2006 10:29:35 Alert 
Hello,
I am considering taking out the prepayment meters for gas and electric for my new tenants that have stated they want my property long term. It is a large 4 bedroom house and since Gas etc has gone up so much it will be much cheaper for them. I am thinking of doing this mainly due to the fact that I have had a lot of trouble with the meter and trying to call British Gas...waiting 30 minutes a time to sort out a problem when the house was vacant. Does any-one think this will be the wrong thing to do or should I allow my tenants to have cheaper direct debit bills if they want, as it could save them £300 a year, they have not requested this!

Thanks for any advice,
Janine.
electricmen@ntlworld.com
Posts:12
27 Nov 2006 12:18:43 Alert 
Not 100% sure I understand what you are asking, but if you have a multiocupied building
with more than 1 tennant the idea of a single meter for say gas or electric will never work.

If you have a single tenant then getting rid of your prepayment meter will leave you with
an enormouse headach; picture this, the tenant does a skip leaving you with a bill for services from the Gas/Elec Company of say £1000. They cut the supply OFF and you or the next tenant have to pay up the £1000 to have it turned back on.
LEAVE WELL ALONG.
dminkin
Posts:26
27 Nov 2006 17:05:00 Alert 
I find it hard to believe that as alandlord we are responsible for bills unpaid for by tenants.As long as meters are read at end of tenancy why would be responsible.? Same goes for council tax unpaid.
I am at present replacing prepay gas and electric meters at one of my properties as tenants lose keys/cards and when gas runs out they don't know how to re-start the boiler(students!)
Samual
Posts:2
19 Jan 2007 20:06:10 Alert 
For what it's worth I had a bill system in my property which caused major headaches after tenants did a runner. I then got in a meter system and I havent had a single problem. My advice is stick to what you have especially considering your tenants havent even requested it!
dminkin
Posts:26
23 Jan 2007 13:20:26 Alert 
I had a utility company bill me for the difference in a reading from the outgoing tenant to the new.
I disputed that it was not my problem.Tenant leaving was responsible for notifying them of correct reading.If the utility company chooses not to read themselves its their problem.
They backed down and wrote the bill off.
misternick
Posts:4
24 Feb 2007 09:13:22 Alert 
I have about 15 houses some with prepay and somewith quarterly billing.
If you lose the prepay and get normal meters there should be no problem with arrears if you put the account into the tenants name, and write to the supplier at the beginning and end of the tenancy with the readings on handover,there should be no comeback for unpaid bills.One drawback of tenants leaving unpaid bills is that the address gets blacklisted by credit agencies, and that makes it difficult for people leaving you to get finance for mortgages etc.

TOP TIP!!!
If you own or can influence the utility supplies of 10 or so houses you would be foolish not to become a distributor, as I am with all my let properties and those of my family and friends. I supply all these places with elec, gas phone and internet. I get commission on the introduction of a service, anda percentage of the volume of the bills. go to http://telecomplus.org.uk/misternick or write to misternick@uwclub.net
sean73
Posts:1
27 Mar 2007 09:50:33 Alert 
Mr Nick , I am interested in your Utility Warehouse comments - however i think this only works with tenants who pay monthly by direct and have standard meters . Most of my tenants have prepayment meters using Cards or Keys - Would they have to switch to a standard meter ? And What commission on their utility bills do you receive for Gas / Electricity ? Im concerned that it would not be enough to justify the additionaly admin associated with setting up such a scheme .

Appreciate your thoughts / further comments ,

Best Regards,

Sean
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Forums > Active > The Netrent Forum > Prepayment meter for gas and electric


ActiveForums 3.6