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August 31, 2022
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Moved in a house with prepayment meters - how to get account set up in pay monthly?

  • August 31, 2022
  • 56 replies
  • 6817 views

We have bought a house which has pre payment meters I obviously want to a ) change details over b) get rid of pre payment 

 

I just cannot get through on the phone and it’s driving me to dispair

 

there is currently no supply at all 

Best answer by Emmanuelle_OVO

Updated on 28/07/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

 

Please contact the support team if you’ve moved into a property OVO supplies. You can then request to switch to pay monthly once an account has been set up. If you don’t already have a smart meter you’ll need one fitted first. 
 


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 account at your last address, we'll close that account for you and open a new one at the new address. If you’re not sure who supplies your new home, use our guide to find out. 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..
 

How to get in contact about my OVO Pay As You Go account

 

Useful links:

 

OVO Help Pay As You Go

 

For OVO Pay As You Go customers with a smart meter, here’s the online top up portal page

 

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. 

 

56 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
June 2, 2025

Hey ​@beachboutiquePM !

What I’d suggest in this situation is that you give OVO a call on 0330 303 5063 and they can at least give you a quote.

You won’t be able to swap the meter until after the switch is complete, but OVO can help make arrangements to migrate to Pay Monthly if that’s what you’re after. IIRC they can either do that during initial sign-up, or migrate in two stages by doing EDF PAYG → OVO PAYG first and then migrating OVO PAYG → OVO PAYM afterwards. Switching may take up to six weeks to fully go through.

You would, however, definitely be able to request a migration to PAYM pretty much the day after you’re on-supply with OVO so pretty fast!

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
Super User
June 2, 2025

Is there any particular reason why EDF say that they won't change the meter for you?

Are they saying that they won't change it to a credit meter?

Or are they saying that they won't change it for a new prepayment meter?

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
Newcomer
June 2, 2025

EDF have been delaying for months on the meter exchange and there is no reason why they can’t change it. Hence me looking to switch as I’ve had such a poor experience with them. The meter is a really old key meter and having just completely renovated the property I want to get the meter exchanged and updated - it’s the last thing to be done so I’m keen to find a supplier who will support it in a fairly short timeframe. I’ll give OVO a call and have a chat, seems like the most sensible thing to do. Thanks!

Blastoise186
Super User
Super User
June 2, 2025

No worries, you’re most welcome.

Just a heads up - pretty much all appointments are jammed up until the end of June due to the RTS → Smart Migration taking priority. However, given the six-week switch period anyway, it’s likely a bunch of slots will become available by the time you’re able to request a migration to PAYM anyway so it should work out quite nicely in theory.

We’ll be here if you need us!

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
Super User
June 2, 2025

EDF have been delaying for months on the meter exchange and there is no reason why they can’t change it.

Surely they must be saying something to you about why not?

Do they say that you have a debit balance and so owe them money?

I said, Hey - Watts going on.
Abby_OVO
Community Manager
Community Manager
June 3, 2025

Hey ​@beachboutiquePM 

 

Welcome to the Forum, I’m glad to see a couple of our volunteers have already stopped by to help out here.

 

Blastoise186 makes a good point about the Radio Teleswitch Service shutdown, and while your meter may not be the same type, it has created a slow down in availability of engineer appointments throughout the country while they complete those switches by deadline, but it’s hard to know exactly if that’s the reason for EDF’s delay. It may also be worth checking in with them again to see if they can give you a reason why. 

 

Keep us updated with how you get on.

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