Energy supplier in new house

pippin06

Hi, we've recently moved and had spoken with our energy supplier before moving asking to continue with them in the new property. When we moved we found we were placed on a very expensive rate with the previous occupiers' supplier and were told it could take up to 6 weeks to change over to who we want to be with. My question is : is it right that we should be "forced" to pay the expensive standard rate of a company we don't want to use just because the previous owners chose them? The only alternative they have given us is a 12 month contract which still isn't as good a rate as who we want to use. Any help/experience would be good to hear, thanks

stator

Yes unfortunately you are on a deemed contract with the old supplier until you can switch

pippin06

Thanks, just another thing to add to the ever growing list of moving costs I guess!! Seems very odd that the suppliers can have a tariff so high no one would ever choose to take it but they can guarantee people having it when they move property. Is this really OK with OFGEN?

anselld

pippin06 wrote: »

Thanks, just another thing to add to the ever growing list of moving costs I guess!!

Six weeks on a slightly expensive tariff will be trivial in comparison with the other costs of moving and should be more than offset by making sure you get a switching cash back.

Pete9501

anselld wrote: »

Six weeks on a slightly expensive tariff will be trivial in comparison with the other costs of moving and should be more than offset by making sure you get a switching cash back.

Our gas bill from EDF for the first 5 weeks during 2010 winter was £90 and yes the most expensive tariff they could find.

pippin06

anselld wrote: »

Six weeks on a slightly expensive tariff will be trivial in comparison with the other costs of moving and should be more than offset by making sure you get a switching cash back.

Precisely, moving is expensive so in addition we now have to pay a high tariff for gas and elec. I was just wondering if this is a fair process since I am having to use a company not of my choice and having to pay a highly inflated tariff. Also i requested the switch before the move and to be told it will take at least 6 weeks was a surprise.
It may be possible to offset a charge but if it was a better process then I could pocket that cashback the same way a non home mover could. Fact is I'm not getting cashback as I'm keeping the provider I had before so I'll be paying whatever they feel like charging on their standard tariff which is much higher than any other tariff and no one would have it in any other circumstances so I am being ripped off!

ACG

Switch deal with the provider whilst the new one kicks in.

In reality though unless you have a cannabis factory in your loft the extra this is going to cost you is probably not even worth the time complaining about.