Explanatory note

These Regulations enable a gas supplier to collect sums through a gas prepayment meter in prescribed circumstances. Regulation 3(1) allows a gas meter to be used to collect sums relating to the supply of gas or the provision of a gas meter at premises previously owned or occupied by the customer.

Regulation 3(2) allows sums owing for these purposes to be consolidated with sums due for the supply of gas and the provision of a gas meter at the premises on which the prepayment meter is installed.

Both the customer and the gas supplier must enter into an agreement to use the prepayment meter for these purposes. Prior to entering into such an agreement the gas supplier must orally inform the customer of key aspects of the operation of the prepayment meter as specified in regulation 4(3).

Regulation 4 specifies written terms that must be included in the agreement. The agreement does not need to be signed by the customer or the authorised gas supplier.

An agreement as specified in the Regulations is not required when the gas prepayment meter is being used solely to collect sums for the supply of gas or provision of a gas prepayment meter to the premises at which the prepayment meter is installed.