Arranging new providers to be in place when i move

Chris_P_2

Im due to move house in 2 weeks. The letting agent has sent an email about how their preferred utility partner is British Gas. But i do not want British Gas.

Im therefore wanting to get a provider in place for when i move. But all websites seem to ask who the current provider and what the deal is.

How can i find out the most likely best provider (based on house size and numbers)

thanks

molerat

You can not arrange for a new provider at move in date. When you become responsible for the property you will have a deemed contract with the current provider (on their standard rate) so you will need to contact them and give a meter read at take over date and tell them you will be switching.

You do not need to know the current supplier tariff as you will not be comparing savings just the annual cost - just use BG standard tariff. You will need to make an assumption for the amount of energy you will be using and input those figures, a guide here https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/gas/retail-market/monitoring-data-and-statistics/typical-domestic-consumption-values

Once you have chosen your supplier and switched you will need to submit regular accurate meter reads, at least monthly, to ensure your usage matches up to your assumption and to avoid "bill shock" later on.

D_M_E

British Gas may well be the agent's preferred supplier, but you should make sure who the actual supplier is - the previous occupier could have changed supplier.

See http://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/find-my-supplier/ which shows how to find out who is the actual supplier - it could be BG or it could be some other company.

As molerat says, once you move in you need to contact the existing supplier and give them your move in date and the meter readings at time of moving in. I would also suggest you photograph the readings as well for additional evidence.

You are then free to switch to whoever you like, but expect a small bill from the old supplier for the 2 to 3 weeks it will take for the switch to complete.

[Deleted User]

Chris_P wrote: »

Im due to move house in 2 weeks. The letting agent has sent an email about how their preferred utility partner is British Gas. But i do not want British Gas.

Im therefore wanting to get a provider in place for when i move. But all websites seem to ask who the current provider and what the deal is.

How can i find out the most likely best provider (based on house size and numbers)

thanks

Its weird why a letting agent would have a preferred supplier, although BG is one of the more reliable suppliers and they will at least answer the phone in a minute or two.
Spark Energy make a good living giving commissions to letting agents but they are unique ( I hope ) in that respect.

Cardew

sacsquacco wrote: »

Its weird why a letting agent would have a preferred supplier, although BG is one of the more reliable suppliers and they will at least answer the phone in a minute or two.
Spark Energy make a good living giving commissions to letting agents but they are unique ( I hope ) in that respect.

There have been reports on MSE that several letting agents 'promote' Utility Warehouse - although that could mean that an individual in the agency is a UW salesman.

Chris_P_2

ok thanks guys. as I wont have a statement to use for comparison is there any guide on who to use?Im aware Sainsburys energy is the same as British gas but a lot cheaper for example.

[Deleted User]

use an independent comparison site like the Citizens Advice Bureau at https://energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk/ and as @Molerat said use the averages from OFGEM at https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/gas/retail-market/monitoring-data-and-statistics/typical-domestic-consumption-values which I've pasted below. Use all 3 ranges and see what the costs are and who offers the best at that usage.

Typical Domestic Consumption Values 2015

kWh
Gas
Low 8,000
Medium 12,500
High 18,000
Electricity: Profile Class 1
Low 2,000
Medium 3,100
High 4,600
Electricity: Profile Class 2
Low 2,500
Medium 4,300
High 7,200

footyguy

Chris_P wrote: »

ok thanks guys. as I wont have a statement to use for comparison is there any guide on who to use?Im aware Sainsburys energy is the same as British gas but a lot cheaper for example.

You don't need a statement - which comparison site are you attempting to use that demands you have a statement?
Best to use one which MSE suggests (since you may also get cashback if you eventually switch via them)

To clarify, whilst best results are obtained from a comparison site for those that input their anticipated annual consumption in kWh, you don't need this info to use use most comparison sites. Go on, give it a try!

footyguy

Chris_P wrote: »

... But all websites seem to ask who the current provider and what the deal is....

When you move in, you'll register with the existing supplier. Then you'll have a supplier to switch from. You cannot switch supplier unless you have a supplier; just like banks.

Unless you ask for a specific tariff from the existing supplier, then you will be on their default tariff (typically their expensive, variable tariff)