We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

When can I switch?

Hi,

I joined the Cheap Energy club and it says I can switch to a better tariff.
My question is: when?

I'm with Scottish Power and the tariff I am on is Dual Fuel - Online Fixed Price Energy February 2016 - due to end 29th Feb this year.
I can't see if I have an early exit penalty.

If I switch, I understand it takes three weeks for the supplier to change. Does this mean I can start the process 3 weeks before (so Monday 8th Feb) and not be charged?

Thanks

Comments

  • JJ_Egan
    JJ_Egan Posts: 20,281 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Your existing supplier should notify you 42- 49 days before current tariff ends .No exit fees allowed in that timescale .
  • anna42hmr
    anna42hmr Posts: 2,897 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Scottish power do not generally charge exit fees any more, if you go into your SP account online and the messages, go back to the message confirming the tariff you opted for (usually around 2 days after the tariff is taken out) and it breaks down there costs and if any exit fees specifically.
    MFW#105 - 2015 Overpaid £8095 / 2016 Overpaid £6983.24 / 2017 Overpaid £3583.12 / 2018 Overpaid £2583.12 / 2019 Overpaid £2583.12 / 2020 Overpaid £2583.12/ 2021 overpaid £1506.82 /2022 Overpaid £2975.28 / 2023 Overpaid £2677.30 / 2024 Overpaid £2173.61 Total OP since mortgage started in 2015 = £37,286.86 2025 MFW target £1700, payments to date at April 2025 - £1712.07..
  • footyguy
    footyguy Posts: 4,157 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    HeWhoDares wrote: »
    Hi,

    I joined the Cheap Energy club and it says I can switch to a better tariff.
    My question is: when?

    I'm with Scottish Power and the tariff I am on is Dual Fuel - Online Fixed Price Energy February 2016 - due to end 29th Feb this year.
    I can't see if I have an early exit penalty.

    If I switch, I understand it takes three weeks for the supplier to change. Does this mean I can start the process 3 weeks before (so Monday 8th Feb) and not be charged?

    Thanks

    I can assure you that if your deal ends this month, you can switch today without fear of any early exit fees. :)

    Reason is as explained in post#2 ... and that if the supplier has failed to provide such notification, then they cannot charge early exit fees anyway (that's assuming any are even mentioned in your agreement)
  • Thanks all.

    I have switched and save approx £34 per month currently and £72 once the deal period would have ended on the SP account!!

    Result!
  • System
    System Posts: 178,375 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    HeWhoDares wrote: »
    Thanks all.

    I have switched and save approx £34 per month currently and £72 once the deal period would have ended on the SP account!!

    Result!

    Your savings look to be very high.
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.