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Mazzz
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December 21, 2024
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I've just moved into a new home- It's PAYG & I want to change to PAYM?

  • December 21, 2024
  • 16 replies
  • 1810 views

Just moved into new home. Trying to take meter reading for electricity but it appears it could be prepayment which I wasn’t told. What does Smets mean and can I change from ovo to another supplier with this meter please 

Best answer by Emmanuelle_OVO

Updated on 18/08/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

Hey ​@Mazzz 

Welcome to the OVO Online Community,


Moving in

 

One of the most important things to remember when moving into a new home is to take meter readings. You can note these somewhere safe or photograph them with your phone. Remember this step: if the property has a smart meter, it automatically sends us a reading. Otherwise, you'll use an estimated reading until we get the first one.

 

If OVO already supplies your new home, contact us, and we can arrange to open the account at your address. If you had an OVO plan at your last address, we'll close that account for you and open a new one at the new address. And if your meter isn't with OVO, but you'd like to join, you can switch to us.

 

 

We know moving is busy, so get in touch when you can via online chat or phone, on the move day or afterwards. Please have a few details ready so we can help you quickly.

 

We'll ask you:

the date you moved in

for meter readings from your move-in date

the complete address and postcode of your new home

if you'd like a smart meter, if there isn't one already installed

 

We'll email you a welcome pack with everything you need to know about your rates and how to top up. If previous residents left any top-up keys or cards, please throw these away. You'll need to top up using the details we send you, as they're linked to your OVO account.

 

Here's the online top up portal page for OVO Pay As You Go customers with a smart meter. 

 

For OVO Pay As You Go customers with a smart meter, here’s a link to download our app for Android. 

 

For OVO Pay As You Go customers with a smart meter, here’s a link to download our app for Apple.

 

16 replies

Show previous replies
Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
December 21, 2024

Hi ​@Mazzz ,

Please call 0330 175 9669 to get an account set up if you haven’t already. If you want to switch to Pay Monthly, you’ll be able to do that in the same call and have the Meter switched to Credit Mode by remote control - that Meter does not need to be replaced in order to action said migration.

You can also switch supplier freely if you wish, but you MUST register your own account with the Existing Supplier first - you cannot leave until you have done that.

SMETS stands for Smart Meter Engineering Technical Specifications, basically a long boring document that defines a standard for how Smart Meters work in the UK.

Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Emmanuelle_OVOSolved
    Retired Moderator
    December 23, 2024

    Updated on 18/08/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

    Hey ​@Mazzz 

    Welcome to the OVO Online Community,


    Moving in

     

    One of the most important things to remember when moving into a new home is to take meter readings. You can note these somewhere safe or photograph them with your phone. Remember this step: if the property has a smart meter, it automatically sends us a reading. Otherwise, you'll use an estimated reading until we get the first one.

     

    If OVO already supplies your new home, contact us, and we can arrange to open the account at your address. If you had an OVO plan at your last address, we'll close that account for you and open a new one at the new address. And if your meter isn't with OVO, but you'd like to join, you can switch to us.

     

     

    We know moving is busy, so get in touch when you can via online chat or phone, on the move day or afterwards. Please have a few details ready so we can help you quickly.

     

    We'll ask you:

    the date you moved in

    for meter readings from your move-in date

    the complete address and postcode of your new home

    if you'd like a smart meter, if there isn't one already installed

     

    We'll email you a welcome pack with everything you need to know about your rates and how to top up. If previous residents left any top-up keys or cards, please throw these away. You'll need to top up using the details we send you, as they're linked to your OVO account.

     

    Here's the online top up portal page for OVO Pay As You Go customers with a smart meter. 

     

    For OVO Pay As You Go customers with a smart meter, here’s a link to download our app for Android. 

     

    For OVO Pay As You Go customers with a smart meter, here’s a link to download our app for Apple.

     

    Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
    L
    Newcomer
    Lordnelson01
    Newcomer
    March 8, 2025

    I am a tenant in an apartment and now wish to have a smart meter. I tried to go online but it seems the Landlord's name is listed as the account holder. How can I get a smart meter? 

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    March 8, 2025

    Hi ​@Lordnelson01 ,

    I’m guessing you fell into the trap of just using the existing Key/Card as-is without telling OVO you moved in. Would I be right in thinking that? If so, that really isn’t how this is meant to work - you need to create your own account as soon as you move in so that you have control of the supply! For anyone reading this, NEVER just blindly grab the existing key/card and assume it’ll just work fine without you telling the supplier - it won’t.

    To fix this, please contact OVO Support and open an account. You can do this via Live Chat at https://ovoenergy.com/help where you can explain the situation and set yourself up properly with an account in your name.

    You’ll be able to request Smart Meters and - if you wish - a migration to Pay Monthly at the same time.

    Hope this helps!

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      Nukecad
      Super User
      NukecadSuper User
      Super User
      March 9, 2025

      And just to add that it is the tenant’s right to choose who supplies their energy, what tariff they have, and whether they want PAYG or credit metering (a smart meter can do either one).

      The landlord cannot insist that the tenant uses any particular company. tariff, or metering type.

      I said, Hey - Watts going on.
        Chris_OVO
        Community Manager
        Chris_OVO
        Community Manager
        March 10, 2025

        Hey ​@Lordnelson01, 

         

        Some of our community members have stopped by with some really good advice so far. 

         

         I've created a guide that you might find helpful, and I'll leave it below:

         

         

        Hopefully this helps! 

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        OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

        OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd