Citation and commencement

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Gas (Prepayment Meter) Regulations 2006 and shall come into force on 1 ^st September 2006.

Interpretation

2. In these Regulations—

“prepayment meter” means a gas prepayment meter installed by an authorised supplier through which the customer takes his supply of gas;

“repayment amount” means the amount of each instalment to be paid towards the repayment of the sum owed under regulation 3; and

“repayment rate” means the frequency with which instalments are to be paid towards the repayment of the sum owed under regulation 3.

Recovery of a sum owed for gas

3. —(1) A prepayment meter may be used to recover a sum that is owed to a gas supplier by a customer in respect of any of the following—

(a) the supply of gas to any premises previously owned or occupied by the customer; and

(b) the provision of a gas meter at any premises previously owned or occupied by the customer.

(2) Any sum recoverable through a prepayment meter by virtue of paragraph 6A(1)(a) of Schedule 2B to the Gas Act 1986 may be consolidated with a sum specified in regulation 3(1) and recovered under these Regulations.

The agreement

4. —(1) A gas supplier may not recover the sum specified in regulation 3 by means of a prepayment meter unless it has previously entered into an agreement with the customer which complies with paragraphs (2) and (4).

(2) The agreement must state in writing—

(a) the name of the customer;

(b) any charges that the customer will be required to pay in addition to those recovered under regulation 3;

(c) the amount of each element of the sum owed under regulation 3 and to what it relates;

(d) the repayment rate and repayment amount;

(e) the date at which the sum owed would be fully repaid if each repayment amount is made at the repayment rate; and

(f) that the gas supplier warrants that he has, orally, provided the customer with details as required under paragraph (3).

(3) The details required by this paragraph are—

(a) other means of payment available to the customer;

(b) the operation of the prepayment meter, particularly as regards the recovery of debt and charging for ongoing consumption; and

(c) the implications of failing to make any payments in full or in part when they fall due under the agreement.

(4) The agreement must include written terms to the following effect—

(a) that the customer can give a notice of cancellation to the gas supplier;

(b) where notice of cancellation is given the agreement shall be treated as if it had not been made;

(c) notice of cancellation can be given orally or in writing and must be given within seven working days beginning with the day on which the customer receives written terms of the agreement;

(d) that the repayment rate and repayment amount has been calculated by the gas supplier to take into account the customer’s ability to pay the total of all charges to be recovered though the prepayment meter;

(e) that the customer has agreed to the repayment rate and repayment amount;

(f) that the repayment rate and repayment amount can be varied—

(i) at the customer’s request and if agreed by the gas supplier; or

(ii) by the supplier in accordance with sub-paragraph (d) and with prior notice given to the customer; and

(g) either party can terminate the agreement on provision of 30 days' oral or written notice.