Switching energy - but about to move house

shasht

Hi,

My year-long fixed Sainsbury gas & electricity tariff expired a few days ago, putting me on to the Standard Tariff. The problem is that I am about to move house in a month's time, so I am unsure how the switching process works: if I come on to a new fixed deal, can I switch it to the new property? I was told this takes a month itself, but can I start the transfer before completion on the new house?

Making it more complicated, I'm moving from a two-bedroom flat to a five-bedroom house, but I'm unsure how to alter the monthly/yearly gas & electricity use estimate accordingly.

Any advice appreciated,

SJ

[Deleted User]

1. Your current tariff is for your current house, so they will be nothing to transfer when you move home. On the day you move out, take meter readings (take photographs of the meters for your records in case of any dispute) and give that reading to your current supplier Sainsbury telling them that you have moved out and want a closing bill.

2. Your new property will have an energy supplier already which you need to find out either from your landlord (if renting) or solicitor if buying. As soon as you move in, take meter readings and contact the new house supplier and give them your opening readings. (again take photographs). Ask to be put onto their cheapest tariff with no exit fees.

3. Once in the new property and registered as in step 2, go to comparison websites and search for the best deal for you.

System

Hi. Let us address the easy question first. When you move into your new property you must accept the existing supplier to that property under what is known as a Deemed Contract. Move in, take meter readings, call the existing supplier with your details and give them the readings and then you are free to switch to a supplier of your choice.

Existing energy deals are non transportable even if the supplier suggests otherwise. Some suppliers will allow you to switch to them in the new property on your old tariff terms but this will be a new account etc. You still have to accept the Deemed Contract first and you will be billed for the 3 to 5 weeks it takes for the switch from the Deemed Supplier to go through.

You will need to inform your existing supplier when you move out of your old property with meter readings. As far as estimates for your new property are concerned then you have to make a guess as no two houses/families are the same.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2011/01/domestic-energy-consump-fig-fs.pdf

shasht

Thank you for such quick and helpful replies. Much appreciated.

anotheruser

Not that I want to hijack the thread but I am in a similar position.
My fixed rate is coming to an end this April but this time next year I'm hoping to move house.
I don't really want to be stuck having to pay exit fees as those would wipe out the savings I'll make.

Our house is pretty old so keeps cool easily. I did think about the fixed price - unlimited usage from Green Star but as we're coming into the Summer then it probably won't be worth it.

Apparently Flow Energy would be the best but has £60 exit fees.

I switched form nPower and didn't find them much bother. They're second on the list for us to switch to and have lower £40 exit fees but I'd get £30 cash back, so only £10 really. However their Customer Service rating was poor, but like I say, it was fine until I came to switch. We probably would stick with them until we move so only need to provide them with an end meter reading.

System

anotheruser wrote: »

Not that I want to hijack the thread but I am in a similar position.
My fixed rate is coming to an end this April but this time next year I'm hoping to move house.
I don't really want to be stuck having to pay exit fees as those would wipe out the savings I'll make.

Our house is pretty old so keeps cool easily. I did think about the fixed price - unlimited usage from Green Star but as we're coming into the Summer then it probably won't be worth it.

Apparently Flow Energy would be the best but has £60 exit fees.

I switched form nPower and didn't find them much bother. They're second on the list for us to switch to and have lower £40 exit fees but I'd get £30 cash back, so only £10 really. However their Customer Service rating was poor, but like I say, it was fine until I came to switch. We probably would stick with them until we move so only need to provide them with an end meter reading.

Most suppliers do not treat a house move as a breach of contract/termination and therefore do not charge exit fees. You need to check the ts and cs.