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Pre-Payment Meter Standing Charges.

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If somebody moves into a new house and there are pre-paid meters as used by the previous owner, is the new owner responsible for any standing charges if no electricity or gas is consumed for a period of months? The new owner has not contracted with the energy suppliers in his own name or credited the meters with a key thingy.


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    Sch 6 of the Electricity Act 1989 indicates that the new owner or occupier is not responsible until electricity is supplied:

    Deemed contracts in certain cases

    3(1) Where an electricity supplier supplies electricity to any premises otherwise than in pursuance of a contract, the supplier shall be deemed to have contracted with the occupier (or the owner if the premises are unoccupied) for the supply of electricity as from the time (“the relevant time”) when he began so to supply electricity.


    The suppliers seem to be able to write the contract as they see fit.


    My supplier's terms (Scottish Power) in a deemed contract specify that an owner or occupier is liable for the contract subject to a minimum of two days' notice that he has ceased to be the owner or occupier, or that a new owner or occupier has entered into a contract.


    So in the OP, assuming that the supplier's contract is similar, it would seem that if the outgoing owner or occupier didn't notify the supplier, he will have remained liable for any standing charge. The new owner or occupier has no liability until something (anything at all) is turned on.
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  • 0
    Sch 6 of the Electricity Act 1989 indicates that the new owner or occupier is not responsible until electricity is supplied:

    Deemed contracts in certain cases

    3(1) Where an electricity supplier supplies electricity to any premises otherwise than in pursuance of a contract, the supplier shall be deemed to have contracted with the occupier (or the owner if the premises are unoccupied) for the supply of electricity as from the time (“the relevant time”) when he began so to supply electricity.


    The suppliers seem to be able to write the contract as they see fit.


    My supplier's terms (Scottish Power) in a deemed contract specify that an owner or occupier is liable for the contract subject to a minimum of two days' notice that he has ceased to be the owner or occupier, or that a new owner or occupier has entered into a contract.


    So in the OP, assuming that the supplier's contract is similar, it would seem that if the outgoing owner or occupier didn't notify the supplier, he will have remained liable for any standing charge. The new owner or occupier has no liability until something (anything at all) is turned on.
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