Tenant Gas Pre-Payment meter help?

Question

Please can someone help me. I live in Scotland and am due to get pre-payment meters installed tomorrow but it has just occurred to me that I may need to have my landlords permission to do this. Any answers are very much appreciated. Thank you

Answer 1

As a tenant i was considering the option of pre paid meter. I checked with the gas company and as it is you who pays the bill it does not matter if you have permission or not. It is also something that can be taken away if you were to move out so therefore it wouldn't affect anybody else.

Answer 2

What does it say in your Tenancy Agreement, that you would have signed when you first took over the property? It should tell all the things you can and cannot do?

Answer 3

Check your agreement, many of them do not allow chaning of suppliers or metering arrangements.  For instance, it may be cheaper for you to be on a water meter if you live alone, but many landlords do not want them installed.  Careful, you may lose any deposit

Answer 4

It usually depends on who owns the property, i live in a property maintained by a housing association, i rang them when i wanted a gas & leccy pre-payment meter.

There was no problem with them, not really any need to contact them. If its privately owned circumstances can differ, but personally you might aswell go ahead with it now (i would) and have it fitted. the gas company can install another meter if needed when you leave.

I personally think its better to have pre-pay meters in rented accomadation, that way you dont get tied into a debt from a previous tennant.

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it tbh.

Answer 5

  In England you normally should ask your landlords permission after all it is his property but if  they are decent it shouldn't be a problem.

      Landlords don't want to be left with unpaid bills  when the tenant leaves so it makes sense to have pre-payment for all concerned.

    Best give him a ring in the morning to make sure but as long as you're paying for the change-over it should be alright.

Answer 6

no you don't need permission to do this i had it done and didn't need permission

Answer 7

Your landlord will be happy, believe me I am surprised you have a rented property that does not have one! As it will be in your name it really is in his favour. It would be courteous to let him know though, just tell him you didn't want to get behind on your bills. If, when you leave the property make sure you inform the supplier, you may be entitled to a rebate, also take a reading when when the meter is installed, the engineer will take one but just double check that it is accurate. Hope this helps.