Moving into new Flat - Spark Energy Fear

amitl

Hi all,

I am moving into a rented property through Foxtons on the 10th of April.

Reading the small print of the Tenancy Agreement, I see that the gas and electricty will be supplied by Spark Energy.

I have read horror stories about Spark Energy throughout these forums and wanted to try avoid the move if possible.

My preferred supplier is British Gas.

I was wondering if I could sign up for BG now and thus avoid the hassle of moving away from Spark Energy later down the line.

Appreciate any advise people can give as this is first time I am moving into a property I am renting and want it to go as smooth as possible.

Thanks

Wywth

amitl wrote: »

Hi all,

I am moving into a rented property through Foxtons on the 10th of April.

Reading the small print of the Tenancy Agreement, I see that the gas and electricty will be supplied by Spark Energy.

I have read horror stories about Spark Energy throughout these forums and wanted to try avoid the move if possible.

My preferred supplier is British Gas.

I was wondering if I could sign up for BG now and thus avoid the hassle of moving away from Spark Energy later down the line.

Appreciate any advise people can give as this is first time I am moving into a property I am renting and want it to go as smooth as possible.

Thanks

Spark is the least of your worries. Have you not read the horror stories about Foxtons? :eek:

When you become responsible for the property (usually the day you move in) you will need to register with the existing supplier(s) and then you will be able to start any switching process.

You can't switch supplier until you have a supplier

Btw, are you sure you have signed up to the right site? As a moneysaving site, I would suggest the supplier that saves you the most money should be your preferred supplier ... :cool:

dogshome

You are right to be concerned, however one thing has become apparent from previous threads
Spark have more than one tariff for customers who have been manacled to them by the Estate Agents -
1) One for those who pay on reciept of bill
2) One for those who pay up front by D/Debit
What Spark have not been advising new tenants of, is that the 'On reciept of bill tariff', is 30% dearer than the D/Debit tariff.

There is nothing to stop you changeing to another supplier once Spark have registered you as a customer, but be prepared for a fight.

Keep a log of every phone call, letter and Email exchanged with Spark. Typically these will be about Bills that don't match meter readings and demands for money when no bill has been issued - As soon as this happens WRITE a letter headed Complaint, and then 56 days later send the file to the Ombudsman

Wywth

dogshome wrote: »

You are right to be concerned, however one thing has become apparent from previous threads
Spark have more than one tariff for customers who have been manacled to them by the Estate Agents -
1) One for those who pay on reciept of bill
2) One for those who pay up front by D/Debit
What Spark have not been advising new tenants of, is that the 'On reciept of bill tariff', is 30% dearer than the D/Debit tariff.

There is nothing to stop you changeing to another supplier once Spark have registered you as a customer, but be prepared for a fight.

Keep a log of every phone call, letter and Email exchanged with Spark. Typically these will be about Bills that don't match meter readings and demands for money when no bill has been issued - As soon as this happens WRITE a letter headed Complaint, and then 56 days later send the file to the Ombudsman

Have you ever used Spark Energy, dogshome?

dogshome

Nope - but I've helped fight the cause of three friends/relatives who have

Wywth

dogshome wrote: »

Nope - but I've helped fight the cause of three friends/relatives who have

Oh that doesn't sound very good.

How long ago was that? Very recently, I presume?

Did your fight simply involve you advising them to follow their complaints procedure, or did you have to do any more? Were the complaints all resolved amicably by Spark Energy, or were you forced to ask the Energy Ombudsman to intervene after 56 days?

amitl

Thanks for the reply all.

I understand the current tenntant in the property is getting their Gas + Electricity supplied by British Gas.

Does that change the situation slightly?

macman

When you go to sign the STA, strike out the 'Spark clause' and initial it. Simples!
Tell the agent that it's an unfair clause and not enforceable at law.
At that point they'll want your deposit and rent and unlikely to object.
Don't sign any paperwork relating to suppliers or meter reads without checking it first-say that the utility accounts are none of their concern and you will be organising your own switch from BG.

Wywth

amitl wrote: »

Thanks for the reply all.

I understand the current tenntant in the property is getting their Gas + Electricity supplied by British Gas.

Does that change the situation slightly?

It takes a minimum of 3, and more typically 4-6 weeks to change supplier.

So unless a request to switch is already in, it looks like you will be with British Gas if you continue to rent this property through Foxtons.

Fire_Fox

amitl wrote: »

Hi all,

I am moving into a rented property through Foxtons on the 10th of April.

Reading the small print of the Tenancy Agreement, I see that the gas and electricty will be supplied by Spark Energy.

I have read horror stories about Spark Energy throughout these forums and wanted to try avoid the move if possible.

My preferred supplier is British Gas.

I was wondering if I could sign up for BG now and thus avoid the hassle of moving away from Spark Energy later down the line.

Appreciate any advise people can give as this is first time I am moving into a property I am renting and want it to go as smooth as possible.

Thanks

Agree with Wywth, the problem is Foxtons more than Spark! :eek: Landlords (nor their agents) are NOT permitted to dictate who you use for energy, this can be deemed an unfair or unenforceable clause depending how is is worded (see OFT guidance). Nor can they involve themselves in whether you do or do not pay your bills or switch suppliers. This should not be in the tenancy agreement at all IMO.

It is courtesy to inform the landlord or their agent when you have switched, because they can then let the next tenant know who the supplier is and pay the bills between tenants.

Whoever the incumbent supplier is you will be in a 'deemed contract' the day you start using energy, take your own readings (DO NOT rely on or trust Foxtons for anything) and give these to the supplier, choose the cheapest tariff which does not have a tie in period. You can pretty much start the switch process on day one but it will take a few weeks. You cannot switch until you are the bill payer.

DO NOT complete or sign any documents to do with energy supply, not for switching nor registering. Tell them you understand as the tenant and energy user you are legally liable for the bills and so will sort this out yourself. The agent closes the landlord's account, the previous tenant closes their account, that is the end of their liability/ responsibility.

amitl

I have already signed the Tenancy Agreement, a case of you live and learn.

Appreciate all the responses, I am braced from a struggle to move supplier.