made a mistake and didnt get permission to change my electricity supplier

simonmt1981

Hello


So I think i've made a bit of a mistake and now worried about the consequences.


I am in the process of moving out of a privately rented flat as the landlord wants the property back to rent to a family member and issued a section 21 notice.


shortly after I first moved in I had problems with the electricity supplier trying to overcharge me for a considerable amount, and so I took my business elsewhere.


Now at the time I wasn't sure if you could switch suppliers if you rented but upon looking online and found I could as I am responsible for paying all the utility bills myself and accounts are in my name etc.


However while going through paperwork I noticed my tenancy agreement says I cannot change it without the written consent of the letting agency. Obviously this is my own fault I know, I did read the tenancy agreement when I first moved in but as it was a fairly minor detail in the document I must have forgotten about it.


I'm now due to move out in the next two weeks and not sure what to do and worried they will deduct from my deposit for it. The bills are all up to date and in my name etc so that isn't an issue.


But I'm worried this honest mistake could end up costing me after what has been a financially hard month having to unexpectedly move.


I've looked into switching it back but the switch wouldn't be completed until a few days after I have moved out. any advice would be appreciated.

Guest101

ignore the law superceds any clause in your agreement.

molerat

The LL cannot stop you from changing supplier, any term stating otherwise is unenforceable and there is no cost involved in changing supplier anyway. The only thing that could be chargeable would be having a prepay meter installed that needed reverting back to credit. Just give them the name of the current supplier.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

and remember to take a meter reading and tell your supplier, also keep a note of the reading.

marksoton

Whoever wrote that tenancy agreement is clearly a muppet.

G_M

or a charlaltan.

[Deleted User]

My LL tried to tell me I couldn't change supplier when I initially moved into the property. I found out I could, and changed to a cheaper supplier and from a prepayment meter to a credit meter (again, cutting costs).

When I moved out, I copied to him the final bills (paid) so then he had the suppliers names and had photos of the meter readings on the day of moving out (which I also sent him). Good job as he had a decorator in for a couple of weeks.

He didn't say a word.

SwanJon

As above, it's an unenforceable term.
So long as you let them know who the supplier is, then the new tenant can choose their own supplier when they move in.
Or you could switch back to the original supplier - but it might not complete before you move.

AnotherJoe

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

and remember to take a meter reading and tell your supplier, also keep a note of the reading.

Take a photo.

saajan_12

Even if the clause in your lease held any weight, at worst your LL could charge you for his LOSSES due to your breach. If he's happy with the new supplier (they aren't all that different in the grand scheme of things) then his losses are 0. If not, he can change the supplier back - getting rid of a prepayment meter can be harder but as you say its normal credit meters, up to date, his losses again are precisely 0.

Guest101

SwanJon wrote: »

As above, it's an unenforceable term.
So long as you let them know who the supplier is, then the new tenant can choose their own supplier when they move in.
Or you could switch back to the original supplier - but it might not complete before you move.

No need, just pick a new supplier and they will sort it all out.