New Home Owner - Dealing With Old Supplier

AdofEssex

Hello fellow board members,

I have recently moved into a new flat (3rd Nov, 2011) A few days ago I received a letter, welcoming me to Scottish Power, the supplier of the previous owners.

As part of this letter they want me to setup a direct debit and pay £97, £83 for electricity and £14 for gas.

The problem is I am not living in the property currently and am only decorating at the moment. (I am a first time buyer so am still living at my parents)

The usage I would assume is a lot lower than the previous tennants for this month at least and I have seen that EDF are doing fixed rates for 2012 at around £600 a year so can anyone advise me of my options?

Should I ask to pay for this month and then apply to switch energy companies?

Should I give SP updated meter readings and ask for a more accurate bill?

Or should I just apply to EDF and get them to sort it out? My understanding is that they do that but only if it's Direct Debit.

Thank you in advance for any help and advice.

Cardew

You have no option but to use Scottish Power for the period until you switch to a new supplier as you are on a deemed contract.

Phone them and explain the situation and agree a Direct Debet payment with them, or just pay quarterly initially.

You cannot say what EDF, or any firm, are charging unless you know your consumption. A 'fixed rate' is a fixed price per kWh.

jalexa

AdofEssex wrote: »

Hello back and welcome.

Just by moving in a "deemed contract" is created with the existing supplier. Before you are free to switch you must set up an account with the existing supplier.

The default tariff is standard, non-online, non-direct debit i.e not the cheapest. It is up to you whether you sign up for Direct Debit and/or online (and receive the discounts) or not. Be aware that an attempt may be made to get you to agree to a (cheaper) tariff with early termination charges. Your choice, but beware if you intend to switch.

I cannot say whether the proposed monthly payments are reasonable (am I right in thinking it is electric heating?).

When you contact Scottish Power you will be asked for opening readings so have them ready. I advise that a photograph is taken for your records.

AdofEssex

Thank you Cardew and Jalexa.

I guess I will just have to speak to them again and see what my options are.

@Jalexa You're correct about the electric heating, I actually find it very warm in there at the moment based on the two properties either side but the previous owners had a new born baby and so I assume the heating was on quite a lot.