EDF Energy's Deemed tariff

MRCL

I recently moved house and had arranged prior to my move to switch the energy supplier from EDF to First Utility. My contract with First Utility started 3 days after I moved so for 3 days my energy supplier was EDF.

They sent me a bill for those 3 days of £29.16 stating I was on a Deemed contract as they had not been unable to set up another contract with me. Extrapolating the 3 days usage would mean I'd be paying about £300 a month!

I'd like to know if I can challenge the tariff they have imposed on me for those 3 days. The previous owner was on the EDF tariff blue 2016 - I don't know the specific tariff rates.

Can someone assist me?

[Deleted User]

You need the bill from EDF first. Chase that up as without it, you cannot be expected to pay.

The tariff will be EDF's standard tariff, details will be on their website and the bill will tell you all the details too.

My guess as to why it is so high, is that the meter readings are incorrect. Most likely the opening reading was given by the previous owner and maybe a little on the low side. But without a bill, we are all guessing.

I hope you have photographs of the meter readings on the day you moved in and on the day of the switch to FU to help your claim.

Bark01

Deemed Prices can be downloaded from here.

https://www.edfenergy.com/sites/default/files/deemed_terms_and_conditions.pdf

Electricity standing charge is 18.90p per day and gas Standing charge is 25.25p per day (the same as all other EDF tariffs)

If you were electricity only your consumption would be around 50 units a day to hit that bill. This would equate to 18k units per year.

Something looks a little odd! what are the readings EDF has used on the bill?

dogshome

You have to initially take your Utility supplies from the current supplier to any dwelling you move into - You didn't signed anything, but you did immediatelty start to consume energy, hence the 'Deemed' contract.

The correct procedure is to move in, and immediately inform the encumbant supplier of your residence and the meter readings.
Once you have their Welcome pack, you free to choose another supplier
'Bouncing' the system by pre-appointing another supplier can lead to a Mare's Nest of problems.

EDF's £29.16 bill
As it appears that you did not take a meter reading until 3 days after moving in, EDF will have had to Estimate what your Start Reading was ( An E alongside the reading denotes an estimated reading) - The End reading should tally with FU's Start Reading. How many KWh are EDF saying you used in 3 days ?

What tariff the previous occupier was on doesn't count - ALL suppliers issue anew account number on property moves, and, put that new customer on the Standard tariff ie Expensive

MRCL

Thanks for your comments.

The meter readings are accurate as we read them on arrival and 3 days later when we gave the first readings to First Utlity. I did actually lower them slightly to reduce the amount EDF would bill us so if they had the actual readings the bill would have been at least another £10.

It's interesting the comments about the correct procedure when moving because it was when I contacted First Utility to inform them I was moving, the custom services person told me I could initiate the energy switch prior to the move date which is what I did. It seems that as I bounced the "system" I have no choice but to pay EDF's exorborant deemed tariff!

Thanks.

System

I assume that you had FU at your old property. FU allow you to transfer your tariff terms to a new property provided that you switch back to them with a certain number of days. You still have to follow the Deemed Contract procedure. If you have provided EDF with erroneous meter readings then it is possible that EDF has passed these readings on to the industry third-party for review/adjustment based on historic norms for your new property. Unless you can provide evidence, say a meta dated photo, then you are probably stuck with EDF's estimates. All that said, you will not pay for the same units of energy twice - just check that your opening readings with FU and closing readings with EDF agree.

MRCL

Thanks, the difference was about 10 units for gas and electricity so I doubt it would be picked up. I'll double check with the opening and closing readings to make sure I'm not paying double.