First Utility - Being put on a Standard tariff without notification

tgzed

Can anyone offer me some advice. I used uswitch a couple of years ago to change to the cheapest tariff which was at the time First Utility. I noticed not long ago that my bills with First Utility had suddenly escalated so I contacted them only to be told that I had been put on a 'standard tariff' in February this year without receiving any notification by letter, phone or email (apparantly they had emailed be however the email address they had was from information they received from Uswitch which was actually the wrong email address.)

Are energy companies allowed to change you back onto a standard tariff without notification like this? I've estimated it's cost me an extra £300 - 500 since February being on a standard tariff.

I;ve complained to the First Utility and the ombudsman. First Utility, say its not their fault but Uswitch's if they had the incorrect email address and the ombudsman say that Utilities companies don;t have to inform you they are putting you on a standard tariff.

Is that true? Because that just seems like daylight robbery if so.

Many thanks for any information

Tim

matelodave

Your original agreement probably said that you would put onto their standard tariff when the fixed price contract ran out and that's what they did.


If they sent you an e-mail to wrong address then it's not really their fault, neither is it their fault that you've failed to check your bills or consumption. Had you done so you would have realised that your contract had ended and that you'd been transferred to their standard tariff. You would then have had the opportunity to take out another fix with them or change suppliers.


It's no one else's fault but yours. If you didn't bother to check your bills and make sure that they are correct then FU or the ombudsman won't be interested.

Pincher

It's standard practice to put you on a standard tariff after a deal ends, so you are free to leave with no exit penalty. If they put you on a cheaper tariff with an exit penalty, you would be onto the Ombudsman straightaway.

Cardew

Most tariffs, other than standard tariffs, have a penalty payment for early exit; so when a fixed term tariff ends, companies have no option but to put you on their standard tariff.

Are you sure you have paid an extra £300 to £500 in 10 months? Looking at their current tariffs the difference between their cheapest tariff and standard tariff is 6.1%. So if that price differential is similar that suggests you have an energy bill in access of £5,000 for a £300 loss( for a 10 month period) or £8,000+ for a £500 loss.

apt

Energy companies do now have to inform customers 49-42 days ahead that the fixed rate is coming to an end and to allow people to switch from then without penalty. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-releases/tougher-rules-fixed-term-energy-deals-come-force-ofgem%E2%80%99s-retail-market-reforms-begin-bite


However, it's good practice to know yourself what deal you are on and to look for alternatives in good time.