Moving to new flat. Existing electricity supplier say I MUST register with them.

Frances63

Is this correct? I have just bought a flat. It has no Gas (the heating is from oil to radiators). So it is only the electricity that I need to take over.

The previous supplier was apparently E.on (judging from the post on the mat) so I called them for their rates, bearing in mind the current need to be on a fixed rate.

I am rarely home (I work abroad most of the time) and the flat will be empty for much of the time and so I am a very low user of energy. I therefore am best off on a rate with no daily standing charge (or a very low one). Unfortunately all of E.on's tariffs have a standing charge so I do not really want an account with them.

However, because they were the previous supplier they say I have to register with them and then can change supplier only after 4-6 weeks. Is this true?

It seems such a faff when I could just start with a different electricity supplier more suited to my needs from day one.

Is it always the case that you have to first register with the previous occupant's supplier?

MillicentBystander

Yes, you are in what is called a deemed contract so need to first register with Eon before switching away (but you can start the switching process as soon as you've registered). Ask to be put on their cheapest tariff that doesn't have any exit fees in the meantime. AFAIAA only 2 tariffs with no standing charges remain on the market - Utility Warehouse's Low tariff and Ebico's Equipower tariff. Neither of these tariffs are fixed, though.

DragonQ

Yes it's correct. Register with them on the cheapest variable tariff (or fixed if there's no exit penalties), then at some point when you roughly know your usage, do a comparison.

[Deleted User]

Most electric only houses also have economy 7 dual rate electric meters installed. If this is the case you even have less choice. Eon happened to be the cheapest supplier when I checked their website yesterday for eco 7 prepay meters

Frances63

Thanks all. Good to know that is normal practice.

I had NPower dual fuel previously and though there was a daily standing charge for gas there was none for the elecrticity. I'm not sure if this would also be the case for electricity only though.

I'm not sure what kind of meter it is but I did notice 'rate 2' next to the reading, so presumably it is dual rate. I don't know if it's economy7 or economy10 or Heatwise or whatever.

However, as the heating is oil I was advised by Eon that the single rate tariff would be better for me (?). They have just put me on the standard energy plan for now as it's the only one with no cancellation fees. All the fixed ones have exit fees.

I wonder if there is any electricity supplier with a fixed rate and no standing charge? And preferably no exit fees either. Probably too much to ask....;)

Cardew

You need to bear in mind that E-on will put you on a single rate tariff because they can add the consumption recorded on the two meters and treat as a single amount for their single rate tariff. e.g. 1,000kWh on off-peak and 3,000 daytime is treated as 4,000kWh.

However some companies do not have that facility as, presumably, their multi-million pound computers cannot add two figures!

Scottish Power, who have the best Economy 7 tariff for many people, will only allow an Economy 7 tariff if you have economy 7 meter.

Not sure about Ebico and UW who may be best for very low consumption.

[Deleted User]

Yes it will be an economy 7 meter if a "2 " is showing on the digital meter, that will prob be the day rate if you viewed the meter in the daytime hours. The low rate ( 1 on the meter ) usually is around 1.0 am to 8 am , reverting back this weekend to 12 to 7 am. Beware the high day rate tariff and use as much as possible in the cheap night rate hours. Check with Eon if they are billing you single rate tariff, the former owners may have had sense and ditched the eco 7. eon will be putting you onto the default tariff, "standard " which is the dearest.

Frances63

Thanks I think Eon are probably right to put me on the single rate tariff. I don't think I'll be using much electricity at night anyway. Especially as I don't have night storage heaters (oil heating). Isn't the single rate tariff generally cheaper in the daytime than the daytime rate using dual rate?

KTF

Yes but you can switch on the day you move in. There is no requirement to stay with them for 4-6 weeks.

Frances63

OK Thanks, perhaps they meant it would take 4 -6 weeks for the change of supplier to 'go through'?

KTF

Yes, the change takes 4-6 weeks to go through but you can put in the switch request on day 1 of the takeover.