Tied into utility supplier by tennancy agreement

UniqueEarthling

I'm in the process of trying to reduce my outgoings. One of the areas I have really high expenditure is my gas and electric. There are four of us at home (Two over 18 and two under).

Currently my direct debit to British Gas is £90 per month. We have an old style boiler (not combi) and my water and heating is on for two hours (6am - 8am) in the morning and off for the rest of the day/evening/night.

My direct debit to Swalec is £52 per month. We have no dishwasher or tumble dryer but I use the washing machine about 4 times a week. I use economy bulbs in most rooms and am in the process of replacing more.

Anyway, the reason I'm posting in here and not one of the other moneysaver boards is because of my tenancy agreement.

I would love to change suppliers (I know I'm with some of the most expensive) but my tennancy aggreement states that I must stay with the above.

My questions are, why have they done this and would they actually know if I switched and changed back before I move out? I've been here 5 years with no intention of moving on just yet.

dexters_mum_2

If it is in your tenancy agreement then you can't really change that but you could go to your agents or landlord and ask for permission to switch supplier.
I would advise against changing without consent because if you did, it could constitute the breech of your tenancy and this could land up with it being terminated and I doubt whether it would be worth it!

Speak to both Swalec & BG and ask if there is any way of reducing your DD and ask to be put in contact with the energy efficiency line of both companies for advice on how to redcue your bills.

As you have been in the property for quite some time, your agent/landlord may be OK with you changing but I would ask permission beforehand.

UniqueEarthling

Thanks for the quick reply.

My tennancy agreement actually only lasted 6 months when I first moved in and they've never asked me to sign another one. I assume the original still stands though and I wouldn't want to risk my home over something so trivial.

I never thought of just asking the agents if they could change it (:o). I suppose I just think of paperwork like that being set in stone.

I've just dug my last electric bill out and noticed I'm £149 in credit, so I think I'll give them a ring too and try to reduce the dd.

Thanks again

RHemmings

UniqueEarthling wrote:

Thanks for the quick reply.

My tennancy agreement actually only lasted 6 months when I first moved in and they've never asked me to sign another one. I assume the original still stands though and I wouldn't want to risk my home over something so trivial.

I never thought of just asking the agents if they could change it (:o). I suppose I just think of paperwork like that being set in stone.

I've just dug my last electric bill out and noticed I'm £149 in credit, so I think I'll give them a ring too and try to reduce the dd.

Thanks again

We have something in our tenancy agreement about not changing energy supplier. We went to the agents, asked, and they said that there was no problem in changing supplier at all.

space_rider

I would give energywatch a ring. The number should be on the back of your bill. I don`t think it`s ethical that your l/l can stop you from changing supplier. It`s not as if your l/l is paying your bills.

rosysparkle

No need to bother energywatch until you establish whether your landlord/agent will give you permission to change suppliers. If you are in credit, you may be able to reduce your dd anyway.

You should always take your own meter readings if the utility supplier has estimated them.

UniqueEarthling

Thanks space rider. I'm going to give the landlord a try first. If I don't have any luck, I'll give your suggestion a try.

UniqueEarthling

Thanks rosysparkle. I'm giving BG, Swalec and the landlord a call on Monday.

I'll take readings first to see if I can get the DDs down anyway but if the agent/landlord gives me the all clear, I'll start shopping around through uswitch.

real1314

I'm fairly sure that not changing supplier is not an enforceable clause.
Notifying the LL of who you change it to could be.

Tell the LL you want to change supplier and will inform them of who the change is to.
At the end of the day, a Gas or Electricity supply contract is between you and the supplier.
Explain why you want to change etc, just to show willing, but if they refuse, tell them you feel they are not being fair and perhpas suggest that you will work out how much extra it's costing you and will expect the LL to make up the difference?

anyways, tell the LL that you want to switch and see what they say. If they say no, post back for further advice.

hth

olly300

I've just noticed you had been in the property for 5 years.

In 2001 the Office of Fair Trading interpreted the consumer contract laws in regards to tenancy agreements and around 2002 made sure that they were enforced by letting and estate agents. If you rented directly through a private landlord then they may have been a bit slower on working out the legislation.

Therefore if your tenancy agreement is 5 years old it is likely that lots of the terms in it are actually now regarded as "unfair" (illegal).

Below is the link to pdf from the OFT called "Guidance on Unfair Terms in Tenancy Agreements".
http://www.oft.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DAAEFE58-1AAB-422A-AFED-BDE6C654A4EE/0/oft356.pdf

I also presume you are on an assured shorthold tenancy even if you have lived in the place along time. (Check the name on your tenancy agreement.) If so here is a link to Shelter which will give you an idea of your current rights.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-271.cfm

As others have mentioned you can change to any supplier you like if the bills are in your name. Just tell the landlord who you have changed to if you intent to move out. Even then you don't actually have to because the bills will come to the property, addressed to the occupier, as long as you give the utility company your last reading.

UniqueEarthling

olly300 wrote:

I've just noticed you had been in the property for 5 years.

In 2001 the Office of Fair Trading interpreted the consumer contract laws in regards to tenancy agreements and around 2002 made sure that they were enforced by letting and estate agents. If you rented directly through a private landlord then they may have been a bit slower on working out the legislation.

It was Jan 2002 I took the place on so just short of 5 years but, as you say, the tennancy agreement could be a bit dated.

Therefore if your tenancy agreement is 5 years old it is likely that lots of the terms in it are actually now regarded as "unfair" (illegal).

Below is the link to pdf from the OFT called "Guidance on Unfair Terms in Tenancy Agreements".
http://www.oft.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DAAEFE58-1AAB-422A-AFED-BDE6C654A4EE/0/oft356.pdf

I also presume you are on an assured shorthold tenancy even if you have lived in the place along time. (Check the name on your tenancy agreement.)

If so here is a link to Shelter which will give you an idea of your current rights.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-271.cfm

Yes, it is assured shorthold. I've bookmarked these sites, thanks. Even if I don't need them right now, they could be useful

As others have mentioned you can change to any supplier you like if the bills are in your name. Just tell the landlord who you have changed to if you intent to move out. Even then you don't actually have to because the bills will come to the property, addressed to the occupier, as long as you give the utility company your last reading.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll post an update when I speak to the agents on Monday