billed for energy use based on last tenants tariffs

substandard

I recently moved to a new flat and immediately switched energy suppliers from the old occupant's very expensive tariffs with EDF and British Gas.

Obviously it takes time to do the switch so there was about a month and half when we were still using energy on the old tariffs. Now that the bills have come through they're almost double the tariff we switched to and I'm feeling hard done by.

Of course, I accept that we owe for the energy we used, but I resent being held on an expensive tariff simply because the previous owner signed up to it.

So, my question is: does anyone know of any precedent whereby someone in my situation have negotiated a lower bill with their supplier?

And secondly, if I tried to take a stand and not pay unless they agree to a reduced bill... what could the repercussions be? I would rather pay up than risk my credit rating taking a hit - could that happen?

Premier_2

When you create a new account with a supplier having moved into a property like you had, then the supplier will usually put you on their standard tariff unless you ask otherwise.

The standard tariff may be quite expensive compared to other available tariffs - you should have asked about tariffs at the time you set up the account but knowing which to choose is not easy when you don't know how much gas/electricity you'll use.

substandard

Premier wrote: »

When you create a new account with a supplier having moved into a property like you had, then the supplier will usually put you on their standard tariff unless you ask otherwise.

The standard tariff may be quite expensive compared to other available tariffs - you should have asked about tariffs at the time you set up the account but knowing which to choose is not easy when you don't know how much gas/electricity you'll use.

That does make sense. But I never actually set up an account with the former suppliers. Is this just something I should have done and will now know for next time?

The only thing is, the cheapest tariffs are dual fuel, which presumably wasn't available to me as the existing account was with two separate suppliers.

Furthermore, and I realise this may be disingenuous of me, but if I never set up an account with them when I moved in, then can they enforce a bill at all? In other words, if I have no contract, then - from a legal perspective - do I owe the money?

KimYeovil

You do have a contract. You are 'deemed' to have entered in to a contract with the incumbent suppliers. It is legal.

It would be crazy (or at least ridiculously inconvenient) to have to camp by candlelight for a couple of weeks to a couple of months every time you moved while waiting for power and gas and water and toilets to be put back on.

substandard

KimYeovil wrote: »

You do have a contract. You are 'deemed' to have entered in to a contract with the incumbent suppliers. It is legal.

It would be crazy (or at least ridiculously inconvenient) to have to camp by candlelight for a couple of weeks to a couple of months every time you moved while waiting for power and gas and water and toilets to be put back on.

Yeah, you're right. But conversely, that means you're tied into whatever tariff existed before - or even, to be cynical, to whatever tariff the incumbent supplier chooses.

As I said before, if I could have covered myself by phoning them on day one and asked to be put on a cheaper tariff then I'll learn the lesson for next time. Ignorance is no excuse, as they say.

But can anyone point to the relevant legislation that permits utilities to 'deem' a contract exists? I don't doubt that it exists (or, as you say, there would be a lot of cold and hungry new-home-owners out there), but I would be interested to read up on it myself.

KimYeovil

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/Compl/SLR/SteerngGrp/Documents1/14319-Deemed%20Contracts.pdf

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=562974

substandard wrote: »

As I said before, if I could have covered myself by phoning them on day one and asked to be put on a cheaper tariff then I'll learn the lesson for next time.

A pod person? An orphan? Friendsless? An alien invader with a faulty cultural database? Which one are you?

substandard

KimYeovil wrote: »

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/Compl/SLR/SteerngGrp/Documents1/14319-Deemed%20Contracts.pdf

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=562974

Not quite what I wanted to see, but it's better to know these things than keep barking up the wrong tree.

Thanks!

substandard

KimYeovil wrote: »

A pod person? An orphan? Friendsless? An alien invader with a faulty cultural database? Which one are you?

Bill dodger

Cardew

Just a couple of points:

Firstly dual fuel tariffs are not always the cheapest.

Often it is cheaper to lose the dual fuel discount and get electricity from Company A and gas from Company B.

Secondly the deemed contract provision was imposed by Parliament under the Gas and Electricity Acts for the benefit of the Customer.

In years gone by gas and electricity(and water) was cut off when the old occupant left and the incoming occupant had to make arrangements with the Utility company in advance to arrange re-connection. This often entailed them having to check that you were credit worthy before they would connect you, or pay a hefty deposit in advance.

You can of course elect not to go on a deemed contract and insist that they disconnect water, gas, and electricity and wait a couple of months until you get a cheaper tariff arranged(if you can)