When do energy cancellation charges kick in?

doggymanfred

I need to get the timing right for my next energy switch. As there is, (in my case) a 4 - 6 week period between applying to switch and the actual switch date, I am wondering when my cancellation charges will be calculated from. In other words, if I apply to switch today and the cancellation is calculated from today's date I would pay a £60.00 cancellation charge. If, however, the actual switch takes place in 4 weeks time and the cancellation charges are effective from that date, then I would not pay any cancellation charges.
In short, should I apply to switch on the day after cancellation charges no longer apply or should I apply to switch 4 weeks before in order to maximise savings?

apt

There's no danger of being charged cancelation fees in the last few weeks of a fixed price deals because of the following Ofgem rules:

• Suppliers will be required to notify customers that their current fixed-term is coming to an end between 42 and 49 days before the contract ends.
• Between this notification period and the end of the fixed term contract, suppliers will be banned from charging a termination fee should the customer decide to switch.

doggymanfred

Exactly what I needed to know. Many thanks.

macman

Your contract ends when you go on supply with the new company, not when you apply for a switch.