What classes as a valid objection to transferring my energy supplier?

gibbon666

Hi all,

My electricity company objected to a supplier transfer request on the basis that they hadn't got a meter reading.

Now, forgetting the fact that they had already been sent the meter reading by 2 different methods but claimed they hadn't received them, is this a valid objection?

Our payments were up to date - we were actually in credit once they accepted a meter reading.

I know they can object if you are in arrears, but didn't know they could object due to a lack of meter reading. Everything I could find says you have to be in arrears.

Not too happy as it has resulted in delays in the transfer and the company just took another direct debit payment despite us being in credit.

I don't know if it was just a stalling tactic so they could supply the electricity for another month or 2.

Please advise.

Many thanks,

Dave

[Deleted User]

Maybe they had not recieved a verified reading from meter readers for quite a while, they are needed every couple of years, have you been refusing access to meter readers at all?. Very doubtful if its a stalling tactic for a few weeks as that would nt be a good way of ever seeing you back as a customer. System glytch is most likely explanation

chanz4

what did the letter say, as dont believe read is one

SwanJon

Sounds like Spark - I've read that they've done this before.

As above, I don't believe that this is a valid reason for an objection, but would need to look at the SLCs

gibbon666

They had received a meter reading within the previous couple of months (we had only been with them 2 and a half months). We had not refused entry to any meter readers. We had submitted meter readings via email and their website, but they never responded or admitted receiving these despite getting an automated "We have received your email and will be in touch" message.

We didn't get a letter (or any contact) from our current supplier. The letter we received was from our new supplier and just said that our current supplier had raised an objection to the transfer. When I contacted our current supplier they said that it was because they didn't have a meter reading.

And yes, it is Spark. We got changed on to them by our landlords agents. We didn't get given a choice at the time, but have complained at the agents enough to be allowed to change back away from them.

chanz4

I agree then not a right of objection, only issue is spark is not regulated the same.

bebewoo

Yes it is a stalling tactic, and if you google Spark you will see that they will try almost anything to try to prevent customers from leaving.

Good luck trying to escape from Spark. You will need it.

Wywth

If you google, you'll find complaints about every energy supplier

Good luck trying to find an energy supplier that there isn't a complaint about.

macman

But Spark have previous form in respect of regularly blocking/delaying switches for spurious reasons.

chanz4

they get away with it though due to regulation

spiro

I would raise a formal complaint, that is not a valid reason to object which are defined in the license and they are the same for all suppliers.