Existing tariff ending soon and switching advice?

bery_451

I am guessing I will switch over to my new supplier within 14 days after my current tariff with my current supplier ends tomorrow.


During waiting for the switchover do I have to be on my current provider standard tariff or do I have the right to be on a cheaper tariff temporary for days till the switchover happens?


Do I have the right to cancel my existing direct debit now?


Any other advice that I need to follow?

System

bery_451 wrote: »

I am guessing I will switch over to my new supplier within 14 days after my current tariff with my current supplier ends tomorrow.


During waiting for the switchover do I have to be on my current provider standard tariff or do I have the right to be on a cheaper tariff temporary for days till the switchover happens?


Do I have the right to cancel my existing direct debit now?


Any other advice that I need to follow?

Your existing supplier should have notified you that your contract period was ending 49 to 42 days before the end of contract date. You can switch now without penalty. Provided you have requested a switch before the end of your current contract, you will remain on your present tariff until the switch goes through. If you are past your end of contract date then it is likely that your supplier will have switched your supply to its standard variable tariff. Do not cancel your Direct Debit as it could be some weeks before any switch goes through.

bery_451

Hengus wrote: »

Your existing supplier should have notified you that your contract period was ending 49 to 42 days before the end of contract date. You can switch now without penalty. Provided you have requested a switch before the end of your current contract, you will remain on your present tariff until the switch goes through. If you are past your end of contract date then it is likely that your supplier will have switched your supply to its standard variable tariff. Do not cancel your Direct Debit as it could be some weeks before any switch goes through.

Do u mean contract like a mobile phone contract?

Consumerist

From 1 Jan 2015, energy switching should take no more than 17 days <Ofgem> but once your current contract ends, your supplier will put you on their default standard tariff until the date of the switch.

If your account will be in credit at the switching date, my advice would be to cancel your DD with your current supplier only when you have been advised by the new supplier that they have taken over your supplies. You current supplier will moan about doing this because they often like to continue calling DDs after you have moved, even if they owe you money.

If your account is in debit, you will need to settle the account to avoid your current supplier objecting to the switch.

bery_451

Consumerist wrote: »

From 1 Jan 2015, energy switching should take no more than 17 days <Ofgem> but once your current contract ends, your supplier will put you on their default standard tariff until the date of the switch.

If your account will be in credit at the switching date, my advice would be to cancel your DD with your current supplier only when you have been advised by the new supplier that they have taken over your supplies. You current supplier will moan about doing this because they often like to continue calling DDs after you have moved, even if they owe you money.

If your account is in debit, you will need to settle the account to avoid your current supplier objecting to the switch.

Is contract and tariff 2 different things or the same?

Consumerist

bery_451 wrote: »

Is contract and tariff 2 different things or the same?

The tariff is just the pricing structure. (e.g. pence per kWh and standing charges.)

A contract is an agreement you and the supplier are bound by. (e.g. you agree to pay monthly by direct debit, etc)

bery_451

Consumerist wrote: »

The tariff is just the pricing structure. (e.g. pence per kWh and standing charges.)

A contract is an agreement you and the supplier are bound by. (e.g. you agree to pay monthly by direct debit, etc)

How many months is the contract?

System

bery_451 wrote: »

How many months is the contract?

This is getting a little convoluted. Are you on a fixed tariff with an end date? Your original post suggests that you are. Under current OFGEM rules you could have switched to a new supplier/new tariff 6 to 7 weeks ago without penalty (if an exit penalty applied). Despite what others might say, I would not recommend any cancellation of your DD until you have settled the Final Account.

bery_451

My tariff ends today, however when does my contract with my current supplier Scottish Power finish? Is it a 1 year contract starting from the switch date?


If there is a contract and I cancel my DD within the contract will I get charged?


So energy utilities have contracts similar to broadband/line rental/mobile phone contracts?

System

bery_451 wrote: »

My tariff ends today, however when does my contract with my current supplier Scottish Power finish? Is it a 1 year contract starting from the switch date?


If there is a contract and I cancel my DD within the contract will I get charged?


So energy utilities have contracts similar to broadband/line rental/mobile phone contracts?

OK - let us try and sort this out. If you are on a standard variable tariff then you can just switch suppliers at any time without penalty. If you are on a Fixed Tariff then it will have an end date. Some suppliers will charge you an exit fee if you switch before the end of the fixed tariff date (e.g.; Ovo - £30 per fuel). Other suppliers do not charge an exit fee; e.g., EDF - you are free to switch tariffs and suppliers at anytime. There is no 12 month minimum contract for energy: the contract is simply one of they will supply energy at the agreed tariff rate and you will pay for the energy that you use.

Let me give you an example. EDF is currently offering a Blue Price Promise Tariff which is fixed until 31 May 2016. If you were to sign up for this then the charge per kWh of gas and electricity cannot be changed even if EDF doubled its prices in May 2015 - i.e., the cost per unit to you is fixed. Let us say, however, that the price of energy falls to 50% of today's price in May 2015. Are you stuck on an expensive tariff - No. EDF does not charge a termination fee so you are free to switch suppliers or tariff without penalty. I hope that this makes sense?

Consumerist

bery_451 wrote: »

My tariff ends today, however when does my contract with my current supplier Scottish Power finish? Is it a 1 year contract starting from the switch date? If there is a contract and I cancel my DD within the contract will I get charged? So energy utilities have contracts similar to broadband/line rental/mobile phone contracts?

It is your contract with SP which ends today. When your contract ends, they will change your tariff (from the one included in the contract) to its standard variable tariff from the day after. i.e your contract ends and your tariff changes.

The standard variable tariff (i.e. prices) tends to be relatively expensive but you will have to remain with that until you switch; so it is in your interest to switch as soon as possible.

Since your contract has ended you are free to switch without paying any exit charges but you will have to continue paying the energy charges by DD until you switch.

Is your energy account with SP in credit or debit and by how much?