Glide Utilities Daylight Robbery

SunnyJan_2

Caryn's problem is exactly my case.

When my daughter - an overseas student moved in a private rented house on 2nd Sept 2013, it was her first time to rent a private house with her friends. The misbehavour agent never told what the tenants needed to do except to pay the deposit and his service fee.

On 27th Sept 2013, my daughter's flatmate received a notefrom PDP Management Credit company about GLIDE in their letterbox. PDP warned them if they do not want PDP to visit them again, contact with GLIDE.

Tenants really have no idea with the utility supplier, so they asked the agent what is GLIDE and PDP but no response from that poor agent. So they called GLIDE directly and change the account under their name from 2nd Sept 2013. We have no idea that there is various utility supplier in UK and the tenants have the rights to switch.

Tenants paid GBP141 for 3 tenants each month puntucally for 12 months. Tenants moved out from that house on 29th August 2014. Provided the final meter readings to GLIDE and asked to close the account.

Tenants received the closure account statement on 17th Oct 2014 and it was a nightmare. GLIDE asked them to pay outstanding charge for GBP1600. Moreover the charged period was from 1st Sept 2013 to 1st Sept 2014. No ideas why we have to pay for 1st Sept 2013 and 30th Aug to 1st Sept 2014? According to our records, the readings on 29th Aug 2014 was 29XX, however GLIDE's reading on 1st Sept 2014 was 43XX. Is it horrible about the readings?

Also tenants join GLIDE by telephone, so we ought to enjoy a cheaper tariff. But GLIDE charged us the highest tariff ( I think all over UK)!!

We emailed GLIDE several times about the readings and money matters but they did not reply us. But GLIDE insisted to send overdue reminder to us daily.

Regarding the standing charge, it was 5 times the one we utilized now. Really mad with GLIDE. And really wondered why the Landlord / Agent registered with such a Daylight Robber.

We will never pay the mysterious amounts which were unknown and not liable by us. We also queries if GLIDE response or compromise what they offered??

Overseas Student, please note you have the right to switch to any utility provider and check the price very very carefully. Do not fall into the trap!!

SunnyJan_2

Andy_WSM wrote: »

That's all very nice and helpful, but for the information of those that read the forum it would be lovely to see the outcome of this. People will then be able to decide if Glide treat their customers fairly. At the moment the thread is somewhat against you, so it would be in your best interest to update this too - unless of course you do screw the students over, then it's probably better you don't.

I would like to know the outcome, too. Not to waste my time to negotiate and deal with GLIDE. Terrible experience.

SunnyJan_2

caryn wrote: »

Indeed. Sounds good in theory.


I would strongly advise anyone intending signing a contract with these people to look into their charges in detail before they commit.

Caryn, may I know the outcome of your son's GLIDE problem? Problems solved? Did GLIDE still disturbing you?

iglimpse

Daughter is in a student house. Exam time and they are very stressed because they are getting legal letters from a company called glide. They did not sign up with glide in Sept. My research shows me that the lettings agency pass students details on to glide and therefore breaching the data protection of the students because this info is not in the tenancy agreement. I have just submitted a complaint to the info commissioners office

carlallen

2017 & Glide are still bad.
I Just moved into a house that was occupied by students and started to switch away from Glide on day 1. I have a professional income and can't afford glide prices so students beware the charges are crippling - whatever you do don't include the TV and broadband as it is 4 times more expensive as doing it elsewhere.

Despite my instant switch they have done the temporary plan thing based on usage of 4 former occupants (I am single). I have challenged this but they will not budge - this must be bordering on fraud. Glide must know the number of former residents because of their business model, and yet they charge for that smoothed annual rate not estimated usage for a single person during a switch.
They are going to use this estimated rate to charge me £60 for three weeks when the house will be empty most of the time. They refuse to adjust the estimated temporary payment plan or payment date.
I have contacted my new supplier and have got the earliest date possible for a meter reading which will be less than three weeks
For all students out there glide is easy for landlords and I guess students, but it will hit your grant/loan really hard. Use the MSE energy club and just pick the cheapest/most appropriate and spend the money down the pub or at the cinema instead !!
Avoid using Glide unless you really cant agree with your housemates or are totally useless with budgeting.
If you look at the website the price per KWH is hidden behind a payment plan and there is no straight forward way of comparing the rate they are charging - its all bundled together in a weekly plan price.
If there any parents reading this I would suggest a helpful check on utilities for freshers might help to save a phone call for extra funds at some point.

MrJones1

It's best to choose an energy supplier that gives you a bill based on your consumption. Why would you need to wait 12 months to get a corrected bill? That just makes no sense.

If you move to a new home, you have the right to choose an energy supplier that you want. You don't have to sign a contract with the supplier that's already in charge for the energy supply. There is no obligation for you to do so in order to be eligible to change energy supplier.

When you sign up with a new energy supplier, there will be a final bill from the now "previous" supplier. And you don't have to pay for the period before you moved in. That should be paid by the landlord or the previous tenants.

Benji_tyson

I am at present communicating with Glide as they have refused a request from our chosen Ofgem licensed energy supplier, to switch us. When I contacted them I was told that all we have to do to sort this out, is set up a temporary account with them before we switch. We have made it clear from the day we signed the agreement with our landlord that we do not want to use Glide services. We want to buy gas/electricity from an Ofgem licensed energy supplier. Ofgem licence holders are bound by consumer protection laws. Glide is not licensed to sell gas/electricity as they are not an Ofgem licensed energy supplier. They get their supply from ecotricity and then add their charges on to this. While I can see that young vulnerable students with no knowledge of utilities would see their service as desirable- they will pay much more than they need to. I have done the costing. On researching energy I find that Ofgem has a policy to protect vulnerable consumers from unfair services/charges. I don't see students as falling under their policy at the moment, but I am consider bring this matter to their attention, The matter of students and energy costs needs to be more transparent and ethical. I am at present waiting for an email from Glide which I hope will bring my issue to a happy conclusion. I will be happy to share the outcome.

dimbo61

" For all students out there glide is easy for landlords "
Sweeping statement I think !
As a Student Landlord I would not even think about using Glide.