Advice on moving house / energy deals

SavingWolf

Hi,
We are currently going through the motions with solicitors to move house and expect to have completed by first week of Dec.

I assume it is best to wait until after we move to sort the tariff out as I expect that they arent portable?!

Any advice on this welcome as I feel that we will have no choice after the move than to go onto an expensive standard tariff with someone...

JJ_Egan

When you move contact the supplier at the new property and input meter readings . You will be on the standard tariff until you decide to switch or not .

Consumerist

SavingWolf wrote: »

Hi,
We are currently going through the motions with solicitors to move house and expect to have completed by first week of Dec. I assume it is best to wait until after we move to sort the tariff out as I expect that they arent portable?!
Any advice on this welcome as I feel that we will have no choice after the move than to go onto an expensive standard tariff with someone...

It is probable you will remain on the same tariff as the previous occupier until/unless you switch.

It takes 6-8 weeks to complete a switch so I would start investigating tariffs now so you are ready to start the ball rolling (if you can do better than the current tariff) as soon as possible.

Make sure you take meter readings as soon as you move in and report them to the current supplier straight-away. In case of dispute, it might help if you could take photographs which clearly indicate the readings and meter numbers.

Hope the move goes smoothly.

SavingWolf

Thanks,
Yes I plan to take photographs of the property we are leaving and the one we are going to on the day we move and get these reading submitted on the day.

footyguy

JJ_Egan wrote: »

When you move contact the supplier at the new property and input meter readings . You will be on the standard tariff until you decide to switch or not .

To clarify, the OP can request any currently available tariff offered by the existing supplier as soon as contact is made (which as you say should be not before they move, or more accurately, when the OP becomes legally responsible for the supply)

Beware of possible early exit charges if there are plans to switch supplier in the short term.

Consumerist wrote: »

It is probable you will remain on the same tariff as the previous occupier until/unless you switch.

Wrong.

Same supplier, but no reason to be the same tariff - it may not even be possible. The OP will default to the suppliers standard tariff unless an alternative is requested/agreed.

Consumerist wrote: »

It takes 6-8 weeks to complete a switch so I would start investigating tariffs now so you are ready to start the ball rolling (if you can do better than the current tariff) as soon as possible...

Wrong.

The OP cannot start now. (unless the OP wants to become responsible for all charges from now)

Typically a change of supplier takes 4-6 weeks (actually should take 3-5 weeks, but that's not the reality).
If you switch via an intermediary, then it can add about another week to the process, depending how quickly they send the application to the supplier.

SavingWolf

Pretty much what I figured so I'll shelve this until we move in!

Consumerist

footyguy wrote: »

Wrong.

Wrong.

Such a pleasant disposition you have.

The suggestion was to start investigating now. If the OP knows the postcode of the new property then comparisons can be done now, in advance of the move.

SavingWolf

Good idea, I am registered for cheap energy club so will change my address on that to get alerts!

footyguy

Consumerist wrote: »

Such a pleasant disposition you have.

Just staing the facts

Consumerist wrote: »

The suggestion was to start investigating now. If the OP knows the postcode of the new property then comparisons can be done now, in advance of the move.

Probably no point wasting time investigating at present. Tariffs come on and off the market all the time.

Investigate when you are in a position to switch

Consumerist

footyguy wrote: »

Just staing the facts

Well, misreading them, anyway.