British Gas resumes forced installation of prepayment meters in customer homes
Ofgem has allowed British Gas to begin installing prepayment meters for unpaid energy bills again, following a period where the practice was suspended.
Key points
- British Gas can resume force-fitting prepayment meters this winter as a last resort.
- Suppliers must make 10 contact attempts and conduct a welfare visit before installation.
- Installations are prohibited in homes with high-risk residents, including those over 75 or children under two.
British Gas has been authorised by the regulator, Ofgem, to resume the forced installation of prepayment meters for customers with unpaid energy bills. This follows a period of suspension that began after an investigation into the company's previous debt collection practices.
The supplier is permitted to begin these installations from this winter. The decision follows a significant settlement paid by the company regarding the treatment of vulnerable households.
Rules and protections
Ofgem requires that any forced installation is a last resort, conducted lawfully and proportionately. Before installing a meter under a warrant, suppliers must make at least 10 attempts to contact the customer and carry out a welfare visit. Ofgem states it will monitor these activities closely and intervene if rules are not followed.
Who is exempt from installations
Certain households are protected from having a prepayment meter installed by force. These include homes with residents aged over 75, households with children under the age of two, and those where residents have severe health conditions or rely on medical equipment. These protections are intended to prevent a recurrence of past issues where meters were wrongly installed.
The company position on debt
British Gas stated that total household energy debt is forecast to exceed £7bn. The company said it aims to support customers who cannot afford to pay, while taking action against those who do not engage. They plan to offer flexible repayment options and targeted support to struggling customers as an alternative to forced meter installation.
What it means for you
- Contact your energy supplier immediately if you are struggling to pay your bills to discuss potential repayment plans.
- Keep records of all correspondence with your supplier regarding any unpaid energy bills.
- Check if your household qualifies as a protected category if you are worried about meter installation.
Sources
We compared these reports before writing and checked every figure, date and name in this story against them. Read them for the full detail.
- The Guardian: British Gas resumes force-fitting prepay meters months after £112m settlement (2 Nov)
- Birmingham Mail: British Gas resumes force fitting prepayment meters with bombshell update (3 Nov)
Spotted a mistake? Email us. This story is based on the reports above and its facts were checked against them; it is not financial advice.
