Can a rental contract legally force you to use a particular energy supplier?

jalexa

Wywth wrote: »

Let's not fall out over semantics or nuances.

But your quote "I said it is considered unfair by the OFT" is exactly that. But I note you didn't quote the table heading. Why ever not?

In contrast I tried to offer the OP practical advice.

chanz4

For example another thing letting agents put in, is that you cant have pre-payment meters. Problem is that they dont own them.

Terrylw1

The trick they try is to switch to Spark prior to you becoming the tenant.

A landlord cannot switch in your name as the supplier need your agreement, not a tenancy clause.

Very often, you will have this and find the previous tenant switched away hence the landlord has accepted being with a different supplier anyway.

They only do this because they get kickbacks.

The landlord can't stop you switching away as legally, you are the customer to suppliers. Suppliers won't discuss anything with the landlord about your account or contract, they can't.

If you are switched to Spark, which has to be in the landlords name, you only enter a Deemed contract. Deemed contracts are not allowed to contain early termination charges so you can easily switch away since any actual agreed contract was with the switching landlord which terminates as you take over.

Spark may try to block your switch, they have already proved on this board that they are willing to breach the Standard Licence Conditions (SLC). Post if you need help as switching objections are dictated by Ofgem and whilst suppliers breach them, they are not allowed to and you can use this against them.