New Tenant: Switching WITHIN British Gas advice please!

Pr0f_2

Hi.

I've just moved into a new house share and we automatically inherited Gas and Electric supply from British Gas upon moving into our rented property. The previous tenant had cleared the outstanding bills as expected and the agreement was transferred into our names.

From then, we asked for an estimation of bills based on the previous tenants usage in order for us to get some indication of what we would likely pay, and also so that we can punch those figures in to some comparison web sites.

At present, a monthly direct debit is set up at £59 for Gas and £28 for Electric. This to me seems a little high for a three bedroom house whereby the gas heating only comes on for 5 or so hours a day. But as stated, we're not really in a position to judge at the minute since these bills are based on the last occupants consumption.

Initially, the plan was to switch to someone like NPower and take the £120 Quidco cashback available plus the additional savings that comparison web sites say we will make. However, reading around, it seems that NPower are a nightmare to deal with and it's probably going to be a lot more hassle than it's worth to switch to them. This takes us on to the second recommendation on the comparison list: British Gas Websaver 6 Dual Fuel. This tariff is expected to save us £200+ a year so is clearly worth doing. However, I wondered how you switch to a tariff when already with that supplier?

If I go through a switch comparison website will we still benefit from the £15 or so cashback that you get for using them despite we're already with British Gas? Secondly, why aren't we on this plan automatically? It's so confusing that all these different tariffs within the same company exist! And a bit cheeky also I might add.

We're complete novices when it comes to electricity and gas so any advice would be appreciated to help us get the best deal! Thanks.

KimYeovil

There's nothing 'only' about having the heating on five hours per day. That is completely normal. The current amounts seem reasonable for a standard tariff - may even be a little low! Keep an eye on your meters to see how much you use. I would say the previous occupants' consumption is as good a starting metric as any. If you switch to a cheaper tariff, the price will drop.

To change the tariff you have with the same supplier just telephone them and ask. (Or if your account with them is registered onlne you can do it there.)

You can try using a switching site but I wouldn't hold out much hope of receiving a payout - they are mainly for new customers. (I thought British Gas offered £40 odd, not £15?)

If you choose nPower remember their quoted price includes a £105 discount that is only paid if you stay with them for twelve months. This is mitigated by the £120 cashback, but keep that in mind. (I wouldn't let moans about companies deter you - every supplier has had its reputation tarnished one way or another.)

Gerrard_8_lfc

KimYeovil wrote: »

You can try using a switching site but I wouldn't hold out much hope of receiving a payout - they are mainly for new customers. (I thought British Gas offered £40 odd, not £15?)

It is £15 per fuel for WS6. (It is more for standard.)

However you could add energysmart to your account on quidco £12.50

Then change to WS6 for £30. They may not pay the money but it is worth giving it a go.

JasX

worth a try going via a cashback site, I switch from npower (standard tariff) to npower (cheapo online tariff) and still got the £40 paid

deedee71

Pr0f wrote: »

Hi.


If I go through a switch comparison website will we still benefit from the £15 or so cashback that you get for using them despite we're already with British Gas? Secondly, why aren't we on this plan automatically? It's so confusing that all these different tariffs within the same company exist! And a bit cheeky also I might add.

Thanks.

I'm with Scottish power and when I switched from paying the bill when it came in, to paying by direct debit I did it through uSwitch and got £15 cashback.