British Gas not letting us switch (Student house)

waqasahmed

Basically, we've got a house that we're renting and the guy that's sorting out the utility bills has been told that we might not be able to change providers because the account was not registered on any of our names (BG were there before hand)

Here's what he said on facebook

I hate British Gas right now! After all that jazz on the phone for half an hour and the woman saying yep, your gas will switch... letter in the post saying your gas isn't switching because British Gas refused.

I've gotta ring British Gas in the next 7 days, then Scottish Power will resubmit the request to transfer on the 13th September, then they say it could be up to another 5 weeks before our gas transfer is complete

It also says if we aren't able to resolve the problem with British Gas then we aren't eligible for dual fuel discount and we would then be moved onto the standard prices rather than the cheaper fixed ones we have atm.

He then said

Spoke to BG. They said neither the Electric or Gas was accepted because we did not have the account initially set up with BG, it was just in the name of the occupier.

I have been assured by them that there is now nothing stopping us from leaving them as the BG account is in my name from the other day when I called up. So I have requested a call back from Scottish Power now to speak to them. I know it says on the letter that they will try on the 13th. But I just wanna be sure, besides, a call back doesn't cost me anything.

I'm really annoyed because both BG and SP confirmed our electric would move, but SP said only our Gas was rejected but now Electric as well according to British Gas. So, we'll see

So basically BG aren't letting us switch to Scottish power who are cheaper for us

Any thing we can do? :mad:

bob_bank_spanker

Both suppliers are correct. You are obliged to inform the supplier on supply the day you move in, you didn't. It was listed as The Occupier, and BG rightly didn't let you transfer until it was in somebodys name. Now this has been cleared up, you have been correctly informed that it will take circa 5 weeks. Assuming everything has been resubmitted correctly.

macman

As above, you cannot switch until you have an account with the existing supplier. You are already in a deemed contract with BG from the date of occupation, and you must register with them before you can start a switch, sop I hope that you took meter reads on that date.

chanz4

its good because you cant avoid not paying for what you have used, op hope you are not studying law or finance

waqasahmed

chanz4 wrote: »

its good because you cant avoid not paying for what you have used, op hope you are not studying law or finance

I suppose that makes sense and none of us are studying law/finance. Besides, the bills that I'm in charge for, I told the companies beforehand :T

Terrylw1

No, there is nothing in Standard Licence Condition (SLC) 14 that allows a supplier to object to a switch just because you have no account set up.

See the links to Ofgem's site and use the supplier .PDF's.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Licensing/Work/Pages/licence-conditions-consolidated.aspx

If its not in there, they can't do it otherwise they would be objecting for anything.

An occupier account is not sufficient to block a switch. However, its possible that the occupier account has Outstanding Charges, so they objected on this basis. Upon setting up an account, they can't really use Outstanding Charges until you build them up again however since its a name change against a current account, they could easily make that mistake.

Wywth

waqasahmed wrote: »

...Any thing we can do? :mad:

Ring the current supplier, register an account with them, then switch.

Simples! :cool:

chanz4

Terrylw1 wrote: »

No, there is nothing in Standard Licence Condition (SLC) 14 that allows a supplier to object to a switch just because you have no account set up.

See the links to Ofgem's site and use the supplier .PDF's.

http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Licensing/Work/Pages/licence-conditions-consolidated.aspx

If its not in there, they can't do it otherwise they would be objecting for anything.

An occupier account is not sufficient to block a switch. However, its possible that the occupier account has Outstanding Charges, so they objected on this basis. Upon setting up an account, they can't really use Outstanding Charges until you build them up again however since its a name change against a current account, they could easily make that mistake.

Think the later of build up of debt