New: Factsheet for renters who want to switch energy

Former_MSE_Dan

Hi folks,

In today's weekly email we're launching a new free factsheet for renters who want to switch energy provider. We heard some feedback that in certain circumstances it can be hard to convince landlords to allow you to switch. So the factsheet covers your rights, and how to best persuade them:

Renter's energy switch factsheet

We'd love your feedback on if you think it's useful, whether you would try it, and anything else really. For more information, see Renters & energy switching

Thanks all,

MSE Dan

carolwat

Why would a tenant have to convince anyone to let them switch provider. It is nothing to do with the landlord who the tenant chooses to take their utilities with. Im a landlord and couldnt tell you who my tenants use nor do I care.

Mulder00

carolwat wrote: »

Why would a tenant have to convince anyone to let them switch provider. It is nothing to do with the landlord who the tenant chooses to take their utilities with. Im a landlord and couldnt tell you who my tenants use nor do I care.

I switched providers two tenancies ago and when we did the checkout and I filled in the form with details of the providers, my landlady got extremely upset and annoyed with me. (I was in the wrong as my tenancy agreement required me to seek permission to switch, but I thought at the time it's just unnecessary formalities!). I don't really get why she was so incredibly annoyed, but she was fuming!

Of course, when I signed my most recent tenancy agreement, the first thing I did (before even knowing who the utilities were with) was to get permission to switch.

carolwat

Just because its in the TA doesnt make it legal. Landlords cannot dictate which supplier you use or that you seek permission to change. All you have to do is inform them who the suppliers are when you leave the property. It amazes me how some try to dictate what their tenants do.

DragonQ

The very first item on your "fact" sheet is wrong. I moved a Scottish Power fix to a new property earlier this year.

ValHaller

The Landlord fact sheet link http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/redir/62afad94 produces a sheet which is incredibly short of facts.

Former_MSE_Marcel

DragonQ wrote: »

The very first item on your "fact" sheet is wrong. I moved a Scottish Power fix to a new property earlier this year.

Hi could you tell me a little bit more about taking your Scottish Power fix to a new property? For example, which fix tariff were you on, how long had you been a customer, and did Scottish Power allow you to transfer it without any problems?

Scottish Power stated in writing to MSE that its tariffs were "non transferable". However it obviously seems there can be exceptions.