When can I switch?

WiseInvestor_2

I moved house at the end of last year, and with one thing and another I 'forgot' to notify the Electricity Supplier that I'd moved in.

I recently got a bill from Powergen for over £1000 - whilst I could understand a large bill, I didn't expect it to be this big! Having read the bill more closely, it would appear the previous owner had signed up to one of their 'Business Plans' which, for me as a private owner, would cost a small fortune - presumably as I can't write it off for the taxman!

Having since updated Powergen with my actual meter readings, both from Day 1 and the present day, they have sent me a new (much more sensible) bill for a couple of hundred.

Now for my question:
Do I have to pay this bill as I've never signed any form of contract with Powergen, or can I look around to find someone cheaper, now that I know how many units I've used and have PG as a benchmark? Or can I only switch once existing 'debts' have been paid in full?

Thanks

Cardew

WiseInvestor wrote:

I moved house at the end of last year, and with one thing and another I 'forgot' to notify the Electricity Supplier that I'd moved in.

I recently got a bill from Powergen for over £1000 - whilst I could understand a large bill, I didn't expect it to be this big! Having read the bill more closely, it would appear the previous owner had signed up to one of their 'Business Plans' which, for me as a private owner, would cost a small fortune - presumably as I can't write it off for the taxman!

Having since updated Powergen with my actual meter readings, both from Day 1 and the present day, they have sent me a new (much more sensible) bill for a couple of hundred.

Now for my question:
Do I have to pay this bill as I've never signed any form of contract with Powergen, or can I look around to find someone cheaper, now that I know how many units I've used and have PG as a benchmark? Or can I only switch once existing 'debts' have been paid in full?

Thanks

If I understand your post correctly:

You ‘forgot’ to notify Powergen that you had occupied the property. (Your inverted commas meaning it was deliberate?)

Powergen had you on a more expensive tariff but agreed to change it to a less expensive tariff.

Powergen have agreed to accept your readings for consumption and billed you accordingly.

You have consumed the electricity that Powergen provided, but feel that you may be able to escape paying for this on a technicality. i.e. you didn’t sign a contract.

If my understanding is correct, I don’t think you would understand any answer I would give.

WiseInvestor_2

Cardew,

My forgetfulness was not intentional - I simply forgot.

Having re-read my post, I don't think I was clear enough; I quite accept that I will pay for the electricity I have used to date, but I want to know whether I have to pay Powergen. We all know that the electricity I use doesn't come from a Powergen office somewhere - rather from the National Grid and a 'provider' bills me accordingly. Therefore, my lights would've come on just as bright had I signed up to, say London Energy, but they may've charged me less for the priviledge.

As I've never signed any form of contract with Powergen, can I give my 'units used' figures to another provider and pay them instead?

Thanks

Grimbo_2

you will have to pay powergen for any supply you have used with them since you have lived there unfortunatly. No you didnt sign a contract but powergen were the default supplier when you moved in and it is the tenants responsibility to update the suppliers records accordingly. In a nutshell you cant shop around for which supplier will bill you for any electricity already consumed, only your future consumption can be dealt with in this way and you will find yourself unable to switch suppliers until your debt is paid.