Switching from nPower to Scottish Power - final bill question

far

Just asking a quick question on behalf of my dad. He is currently with nPower but today it finally looks like Scottish Power have got our details and so we will be switching to them soon. However he owes a reasonably big (£160 or so) debit balance but he will be paying this off inside a fortnight. Will this cause any problems or will it be paid off before the intention switch is even notified to nPower? Additionally, what happens in terms of a final bill from them - is it payable in 7 days in full or can we ask for it to be spread over say 3 or 4 weeks?

millymollymandy2K7

Npower could object to the supply leaving if there is an outstanding debt on the account, this would depend on the age of the debt - normally if it is over 28 days old - and the normal method of payment. If your dad pays by direct debit then objections would depend on how many payments made and if there was an outstanding balance at the time the direct debit was set up. different scenarios have different rules. The outstanding amount may be cleared before Npower receive notification of the supply leaving depending on how quickly Scottish Power set the ball rolling, once the notification is through then Npower have a timescale in which to object, if they miss this window then the supply leaves.

Final bills are normally expected to be paid in full on receipt, but if this was not possible you should speak to the supplier to agree a payment plan.

far

Thanks for the advice. My Dad currently pays nPower using a weekly payment card and by the end of the month we expect no residiual balance on the account to be left (it may even be slightly in credit). He is currently paying the bill sent out in June so this debt is definitely over 30 days old. However a new bill is due around the 7th of October so this will only be temporary. If they do object on debt grounds but the agreed amount is paid in full within say 7 days would the objection then be lifted and the switch continue or would the switch be stopped and therefore a new application made?

Pixie28

Once NPower object, the application is stopped regardless of when payment is received. You will receive a letter from NPower advising that they have objected to you leaving due to the outstanding balance. Once this debt is cleared you should be free to reapply to Scottish Power. Saying that, your dad may get lucky with no objection being made by NP.

millymollymandy2K7

far wrote: »

If they do object on debt grounds but the agreed amount is paid in full within say 7 days would the objection then be lifted and the switch continue or would the switch be stopped and therefore a new application made?

It is possible to withdraw the objection but this has to be done within 7 days of the objection being raised, so it is quite a tight window. when the prospective new supplier recieves notification of an objection they will normally reapply in the hope will be more successfull 2nd time

far

millymollymandy2K7 wrote: »

It is possible to withdraw the objection but this has to be done within 7 days of the objection being raised, so it is quite a tight window. when the prospective new supplier recieves notification of an objection they will normally reapply in the hope will be more successfull 2nd time

That's interesting. Hopefully there won't be any problems but if there are, we'll bear that in mind and see if we can get any possible objection raised - thanks very much

For the record, Scottish Power today said in a helpful call we made to them that they will inform our incumbent supplier in 6-8 weeks time but only a large debt (over £50) or a debt more than 28 days old usually lead to a block being placed.

Terrylw1

Far,

You dad should have time to save up for the final bill as it takes quite a while to generate the bill as they will be awaiting the transfer reads. Thats why they say 6-8 weeks, it's the standard waiting time for SP's Data Collector to get your energy history and generate an estimate based on the usage for the handover date.

I wouldn't worry.

far

In 6-8 weeks time not only will the oustanding debt be cleared but hopefully the bill due around the 7th of October will be paid too. Interesting that you say that Scottish Power's data collector will estimate usage based on energy history. They have indicated that they will charge a monthly amount based on the usage amount given to them (he switched with an exact usage) and this will be multiplied by their unit price and divided by 12 to give an amount that will be charged at least initially per month. It certainly does seem as if this is the case - in a phone call today, the amount they gave that they will be charging by Direct Debit every month indicated that this is what they have done by my calculations using their tariff sheet online.

Forgetful

Hi were with Scottish Power for both electric and gas but the other day a guy told me NP power are cheaper per units used and and a bigger discount for having both electric and gas with them...

So have I been misinformed then!!!! sales men!!!!!!!

far

Forgetful wrote: »

Hi were with Scottish Power for both electric and gas but the other day a guy told me NP power are cheaper per units used and and a bigger discount for having both electric and gas with them...

So have I been misinformed then!!!! sales men!!!!!!!

That one depends on where you are. For our area (North Yorkshire) nPower are the incumbent supplier - i.e. the original monopoly supplier. In other areas of the country it is perfectly possible the reverse situation to ours exists. In Scotland for example it is unlikely that Scottish Power are the cheapest supplier of electricity. I believe Scottish Power own Manweb too now (or whatever they're called - not good with these names!) so it's probably the same where you are. Worth checking with a good comparison sites (energyhelpline, Simply Switch etc) to see how each company compares but do as we did and use actual usage over 12 months not the amount you pay for an accurate picture. Hope this helped

Terrylw1

Hi FAR,

Thats an interesting thing that they have told you because it doesn't actually match the agreed procedure thats in place for all suppliers.

Any handover readings (if not provided by you or taken in a visit) have to be Deemed (estimated) by the new suppliers appointed data collector. The supplier may be choosing to get a reading in quickly.

As long as it's accurate, I wouldn't worry to much. It's worth making sure that when you work out the pro-rata in days that it matches what he normally payes. If so, thats good news for him.

If they do it this way, it may get to you quicker than 6-8 weeks as thats the deeming time that is typical. deeming is always based on the energy history at the property so it probably wouldn't be too far off his usual bills.