N Power Rollover Contract

rugbyroom

Dear Forum,

I have recently found out that I'm being forced into a 2 option sign up with Npower business.

1) I can sign a new contract far higher than anyone else, or (2) not sign up and be on a new contract that 3 times higher than others.

This has all come about because I have only recently seen my terms and conditions, because after so many phone calls and letters to Npower, they have for the past 12 months being sending all documents to the rental properties I have, for which I pay the the utility bills.

They have informed me that I should have given 90 days notice, but I have never been informed of this.

I'm getting nowhere with customer support, just constantly told that I should give 90 days, as per my terms and conditons, but if I don't see these, and have proof that I have requested multiple address changes, where would I stand.

They have caused me so many problems, as ex tenants have used my utility bills they have wrongly sent, in order to obtain mobile phones etc in my name.

I simply feel that I'm being blackmailed into signing a contract that I dont want, as had endless problems with this company.

Any advice most welcome:mad:

dogshome

Hi rugbyroom - If n'power have been sending required notifications to you to the wrong address, you can probably get out of this contract.

With these letters n'power are relying on law which states that if a letter has been sent, it is deemed to have been received, but, the address they are posted to must be exactly correct for them to use this law - There have been other posts on this site where customers have been able to declare these contracts void because the address was wrong by just one digit in the Post Code, never mind a totally wrong address

Write to n'power advising them that as they have failed to send legally required notifications at the proper time to the correct address, you regard the contract as null & void - Better still if you can afford it, have your solicitor do it.

Premier_2

rugbyroom wrote: »

Dear Forum,

I have recently found out that I'm being forced into a 2 option sign up with Npower business....

How come you are with nPower business?

Are these not domestic, residential properties that you let?

PNPSUKNET

ask them to put you on their standard business tariff, although your bill will go up a lot problem solved. Have you ever queried the bills not recieved etc

rugbyroom

Premier wrote: »

How come you are with nPower business?

Are these not domestic, residential properties that you let?

Like most people trying to get the cheapest utility bills. Was advised that as I rent the properties out as room lets, and I pay the bills, I would be better off on business rates.

Been advised I should declare the properties as residential, but just want to get out of a stressful situation, which could mean that my bills will be tripled.

dogshome

Hi rugbyroom - So these residential room lets are the sole basis of your business activities?

As you are probably aware, the VAT rate on business utilities is the full 17.5%, (Soon to be 20%), but domestic utility VAT is 5%
This can be a grey area where businesses have residential lets as just a part of thier operations, but the point remains that residential tenants should ony be paying 5% VAT, even if the Elec. is included in thier rent.

Both Ofgem and the Residential Landlords Association should be able to give you definintive advice as to whether or not you as a purely residential L/lord should be registered for Business Utilities
( My own feeling is probably not )

rugbyroom

Another hour on the phone to Npower.

They wont relise me from the contract as didn't give 90 days notice, which they inform me they have no legal reason to give.

They told me that I should have contacted them if I didn't receive my terms and conditions, but I thought I agreed these over the phone.

They have told me that the address was changed in may 6th this year, but all mail has been sent to property addresses, up until recently, as they never changed the address correctly - just the postcode.

There telling me that the contract is valid, as I agreed it over the phone, but I have never received terms and conditions to give 90 day notice.

dogshome

Hi rugbyroom - I am guessing that this 'Contract' was first arranged in 2010 at about this time of year, and it's now at it's 1st anniversary that the priceing problems have arisen because not having recieved a hard copy of the contract, you were unaware of the year end cancellation options.

The validity of this contract swings on you haveing received a hard copy in the post as it contains clauses that are so finely detailed, that they could not and were not discussed in the original phone conversation. And it was of course in n'powers interests not to make you aware of them

Your phone call to n'power confirms they that are relying on "If a letter is posted it is deemed to have been recieved" Law, but as my earlier post they have to get the address exactly right for this to hold water.

Only you know the blow-by-blow mis-addressing history, but do not waste your time phoning or Emailing the Customer Service desk
WRITE to n'power listing this history, pointing out that legal documents sent to an incorrect address have no authority and n'powers failure to advise you of time sensitive deadines in good time make the entire contract invalid.

Apart from the above, there still remains the problem of whether or not you should be on a Commercial Utility contract at all - Have a word with the Private Landlords Assn. and Ofgem