EON-switching advice please!

Dawn248

I'm in a rented flat which is electricity only and have been paying a small supplier called Spark. Suddenly had a visit from two men from EON saying they were going to put in a pre payment meter because money was owed to them!
The previous tenant's name was on their warrant and I explained I've been paying £40 a month to Sparks and thought everything was above board. I had returned all mail in the previous tennants name as 'not at this address' but they hadn't acted on it. They eventually relented and agreed it was her they were chasing-not me.
However, they said Sparks had no right taking my money as EON were providing my electricity. I had called EON a few weeks after moving in when I got a card through the door asking for a meter reading. I had told them I was a new tennant but they did not advise of any problems.
Anyway Sparks have refunded me the £40 a month I've been paying since June and lovely EON have sent me a bill for £200 for the same period! They are saying my usage will equate to a direct debit of at least £65 a month.
We haven't used any heating at all and the majority of our usage will be my two daughters charging laptops and tablets, admittedly this is pretty constant.
I suppose I will have to pay the outstanding £200 but want to switch to a cheaper provider asap. I am only staying here for a few more months while my divorce goes through and I will be moving on so I just want things to be clear cut and as cheap as possible with no more nasty surprises.
Any advice on switching with no more confusion would be helpful. With a divorce going on I don't have time for trawling comparison sites. I've seen that Octopus and OVO Energy look quite cheap and will arrange the switch for you?
Apologise for coming across as clueless-my ex always controlled money so I am new to this.
Thanks in advance.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

It will take about the same time on a comparison site as it did to write that post. Also, 40 a month would be very unlikely to cover usage unless you are in the smallest of properties, 65 seems more reasonable. Ovo have been excellent for me, but whatever you do make sure you give monthly meter readings to avoid bill shock - it is so common for people to think that something like 40 a month is covering them and when the meter reader turns up they are hit with a 4 figure bill.

dogshome

Spark get their customers by paying a 'Bung' to letting Agents, so that the supplier is Switched to Spark between lettings, and clause is written into the lease that Spark must be used as the Utility supplier - Check your lease - If it's there ignore it, it's illegal

It seems that your LA c0cked up the Switch to Spark and it wasn't finalised, so without your knowledge you have been running up a bill with Eon at their Expensive Standard tariff rates
I'm afraid you will have to swallow the difference between Spark's £40 x ? months, and Eon's £200 bill - Spark are not known for bargain basement tariffs so it should not be a huge difference over the summer months
That said £40 a month seems too cheap for an all Electric flat, and even more so in Winter - Be prepared for an increase

1)Check Eon's Bill, the Start date should the day you moved in and the opening meter reading the same as the one Spark used

2)Ask Eon if they will allow you to Switch to another , (cheaper), supplier. They may refuse because of the debt, but ask anyway

3)Alternately get onto Eon and Switch to the cheapest tariff they have - This will probably be a 'Fix' and require payment by D/Debit

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Morning Dawn248,

Good advise on the thread already, so thank you.

As dogshome has said, the first thing to do is make sure the start date and meter readings we have started the account from are correct. Then get the account billed up to date.

You can pop a meter reading on to your online account and request a real time bill.

Have a look at the tariffs and see if we can get you on a better deal, or a quick look through the comparison sites, if you get the time.

You may want to set a Direct Debit to pay the balance and cover the ongoing usage, we may be able to spread the balance a little bit.

£40 per month does sound very low, but the best way to monitor your usage is to keep popping meter reads on and tracking it this way.

I know you say you're not going to be in the property that long, but if you would like my help, I'm here.

Thank you

Helena

Maxwell007

E.ON MSM Fixed 1 Collective March 2016
Vs
E.ON Saver Fixed 1 Year v2 Paperless

Energy helpline is telling me I can save £421 per year !?!

I now pay £55 per month