new house - no switch?

sadexpunk

was looking into the collective switches on here, but then realised im moving house next week, and have cancelled my acc with edf, so in effect, ive nobody to switch from.

common sense suggests i cant now take advantage of any switch deals, with money back etc. am i right?

is my best option just to find a tariff i 'fancy' (yeah right, if i can understand them :-)) and contact the supplier direct to get started?

thanks

prosaver

I thought it didn't matter ?

System

sadexpunk wrote: »

was looking into the collective switches on here, but then realised im moving house next week, and have cancelled my acc with edf, so in effect, ive nobody to switch from.

common sense suggests i cant now take advantage of any switch deals, with money back etc. am i right?

is my best option just to find a tariff i 'fancy' (yeah right, if i can understand them :-)) and contact the supplier direct to get started?

thanks

Err no. When you move in, you will find that when you flick the switch that the lights will come on. From that moment on, you are on a legally binding Deemed Contract with the existing supplier to that property. On the day that you move in, contact the deemed supplier with actual meter readings, give them your name etc and from that point you are then free to switch. If you attempt to circumvent the above procedure by signing up to 'Fred's Best Ever Collective Switch' then you could end up with more trouble than you imagined which could take weeks to sort out.

You will pay the deemed supplier for all energy used until the switch/es go through in 17 to 35 days from application to switch.

sadexpunk

really? that surprises me. will the original resident not have rang scottish power in this instance (ideally giving adequate notice), and said im moving to xxxx, please cancel my acc or move it to new property?

and if i start a new acc with ovo say and say im moving in on x date, then i start paying them?

what if i dont want to be with SP for any length of time? and id be forced to be paying SP over the odds on a standard tariff too for a while? sounds complicated......

System

sadexpunk wrote: »

really? that surprises me. will the original resident not have rang scottish power in this instance (ideally giving adequate notice), and said im moving to xxxx, please cancel my acc or move it to new property?

and if i start a new acc with ovo say and say im moving in on x date, then i start paying them?

what if i dont want to be with SP for any length of time? and id be forced to be paying SP over the odds on a standard tariff too for a while? sounds complicated......

You are free to ignore my advice. I suggest that you 'Google' Deemed Domestic Energy contracts. The law was brought in about 20 years ago to ensure that house occupants didn't suffer days without power. The person moving will have told the supplier and the property then switches to the supplier's standard variable tariff.

If you try to switch and then transfer goes through ( it should actually be blocked until you tell the supplier of your existence) then it will become an Erroneous Transfer of Supply. The deemed supplier can then apply under the Code to have the supply transferred back which can take up to 12 weeks. You will then find yourself with a bill for 3 months on the deemed supplier's high tariff.

Edit:

For clarity, I should add that there is no such thing as a portable contract per se. If a supplier is willing to allow you to move your account to a new property, you still have to go through the FULL deemed contract procedure and then you switch back to your old supplier on your previous contract terms. A bill for 17 to 35 days for deemed supply will still arrive.

sadexpunk

You are free to ignore my advice.

nope, wouldnt dream of it, always thankful for knowledgeable advice. thanks a lot.

EDIT: whatever, my best bet is still to find a supplier/tariff im happy with, contact them directly, and ask them to supply me asap yes?
would they do the donkey work for me in contacting SP to get the ball rolling?

thanks

System

No. Do it by numbers. You should contact SP, if it is the Deemed Supplier, with a meter reading/s on the day that you move in. It may be that the old occupant conveniently forgot to tell SP that he/she was moving out - it happens. Having done that one phone call then you are free to switch. The option is yours. For collective switches you must apply via the 3rd party. For standard and fixed tariffs you can use a comparison site or contact the supplier direct. for the cheapest energy, look for two suppliers. I am currently with Zog for gas and GBEnergy for electricity. My deal is better than ML's cheapest ever deal etc.

Your new supplier will inform SP of the switch and ask you for meter readings to close the SP account etc.

sadexpunk

ah right thanks. so my current supplier (edf) dont even enter into it. i cancel with them (already told em it stops on 24th) and then id switch from SP to new supplier when im in.

thanks

cajef

When you move in contact SP and give the meter readings on that day, if you don't you may find yourself being billed for the previous occupiers use if they have not given final readings, SP will open an account with them once that is done you are free to change to any supplier of your choice.