Have I found a get out?

debtfreeby2013

I started a gas and electric contract in October last year that was tied in for 12 months. I'm moving house next week and phones them to tell them. My account was closed and a new account started and I have been told that my contract is now until July 2013 and I have a 7 day cooling off period. Does this mean I can look for a cheaper contract and get out of my new contract with my current supplier? I'm a bit annoyed that by moving house I have been tied into my contract for a further 9 months!!
As I now have a new contract with the supplier am I able to shop around for a new contract without incurring a penalty for switching?

HappyMJ

Moving house is sometimes a valid reason to terminate a contract and some suppliers do allow you to leave without penalty. Which supplier? Which tariff?

debtfreeby2013

It's Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 16. It would make sense as they kept talking about my 'closed account' and had to take all of my details (bank details etc) again so they must have cancelled my account and just automatically sold me a new one.
Chances are it's the best deal but at the same time it'd be nice to have the freedom to look around.

debtfreeby2013

Oh yeah, and I've got to have a new personal page so it's all pointing to 'brand spanking new account'.

Airmike23

Online fixed price energy July 2013 is v competitive deal, and what you might be able to save elsewhere is all "in arrears" tariifs with Npower or First Utility, so next 12 months would pay more to either of those companies respectively, to ultimately save a few quid on scot pow deal. Remembver can leave scot pow any time you wnt but £51.06 cancellation charge if before 30-6-13.

macman

Whatever SP tell you, you cannot just open a new account with them at the new property unless they are already supplying it. The day you move in and use the supplies, you are in a deemed contract with the existing supplier and must register with them and supply opening readings. Once an account is set up, then you can commence a switch if you so wish, which will take 4-5 weeks.
Any agent that tells you otherwise is very badly trained.
Moving home will void any existing contract that you have without penalty, regardless of any minimum term period.

Terrylw1

The quoted cooling ofc period will be for a change of supply to them as you will be in a Deemed contract with the existing supplier as Macman says.

So, when you signed a contract or made a verbal one for the new property, did you even discuss which tariff? If not you will be on something standard.

Each meter point has a registration number and supplier contracts are to the meter point hence they retain it after you leave and the new occupier is Deemed to them.

debtfreeby2013

I told Scottish power when I phone that I am leaving my current property on the 19th April and moving into the new property on the 1st may (going to parents for 2 weeks in between). They have said that my new account isn't due to start until the 1st may but the switchover is already in process.
The new flat will be rented off a friend which is why I am a little concerned, I don't want them thinking that I have taken over the flat before they've even moved out, ya know?

If Scottish power aren't allowed to do that what can I do? I'm not happy that this has been done in case it effects the current tenants in some way.

The new property is with british gas at the mo and they're actually £30 a year cheaper (doesn't sound like much but I'm only paying £39 a month so it's nearly 1 month's direct debit. I hate feeling like I've been talked into something I dont want and am seriously starting to regret telling Scottish power about the move but I am £100 in credit with them so wanted to make sure I got that back or transferred with me.

macman

BG will block the transfer, as it's not possible to switch your account away from them to SP if you are not already their customer in the first place. Or they will end up trying to switch the existing tenant, who will rightly claim an erroneous transfer and object.
Any credit balance owing at the old address will be returned to you after you have closed the account off with final readings and received your final bill. You cannot transfer a balance (debit or credit) to a new account at a new property, be it the same supplier or not.
It will all end in tears unless you cancel your 'switch' to SP under the cooling-off period and wait until you are in the new property. Then reg with BG on day one and start a switch if you so wish.

jalexa

macman wrote: »

Any agent that tells you otherwise is very badly trained.

Indeed. But what *exactly* is the system allowing the agent to enter?:(

keith1950

Hi, as macman says, you have to register with BG at the new property on the day you move in and give them your opening readings .(preferably on a tariff without exit fees e.g. standard tariff.) then you are free to start a switch straight away, although you will be on BG's tariff for 6-8 weeks before it switches.

So ring up Scottish Power ASAP and clear things up.

You talk about your account being closed but that won't happen until you give them your closing meter readings on the day you move out of your old address.