Prepayment Meters

Debate between Lord Callanan and Lord Porter of Spalding

Tuesday 14th May 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Porter of Spalding (Con)]

On the basis of that answer, can my noble friend confirm for the public at large, so that there is no doubt, that any tenant who has occupied a property that had a bad credit history before the tenant moved in should have been entitled to have that meter swapped to a normal meter—and that any customer who has been kept on a prepayment meter against their will on the basis of a previous tenant’s history should not have had to suffer that and should be due compensation?

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I think I would agree with the noble Lord’s point: of course you are not responsible for the debt of a previous tenant. The only qualification I would make on that is that, if it is a tenant, the landlord owns the property, so the choice of meter would be subject to the permission of the landlord as well.

[Lord Porter of Spalding (Con)]

That is strictly not true. The tenants in rented property are responsible for their own gas, electricity and water supplies; the landlord is not.

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I am happy to hear the noble Lord’s clarification. If I am wrong on that, I will certainly write to him about it.