Moving house - can we choose our supplier right away?

Legacy_user

I'm moving house on Thursday. I know the supplier that the previous resident used, and I know that if we do nothing then we'll be on a deemed contract, and will have to call the supplier to give them the meter readings when we move in.

We'll definitely want to switch supplier, so I was hoping we could just avoid the beginning bit and switch straight away. Can we do that? If so, would it just be a case of contacting our chosen supplier now and letting them know that we want the supply to be active as of Thursday? I'm wondering if we've left it a bit too late - downside of having a short period between exchange and completion!

molerat

Simple answer, NO.

You are not the current account holder at the property so you cannot switch supplier, as soon as you are you can initiate a switch. Trying to be clever is most likely to end in tears.

System

That's really good to know; thanks for the quick reply. I'll wait until we're in, call the current supplier with the meter readings, and get on with the switch ASAP after that. Can I go ahead setting up a switch the same day, or would I need to wait until I get all the new account information/confirmation letters etc. from the current supplier? I want to switch as quickly as possible, but I don't want to cause any avoidable problems for myself!

matelodave

you should be able to initiate the switch the same day however you'll still have to pay the existing supplier fro the leccy/gas that you use between you moving in and when the switch takes effect possibly 3-5 weeks worth, depending how quickly they get themselves sorted out.

As said, take readings as soon as you take possession and phone them through to the existing supplier and open an account with them. Make sure you keep a record yourself (take a photo of the meters). Make sure you dont agree to a fixed tariff if you are going to swap as you'll end up paying an early exit fee.

You can then initiate you swap to the new supplier.

It's recommended that you read your meters regularly and keep your own records. Always send in a meter reading once a month and ensure that your bills, statement and account reflect the meter readings - do not accept estimated bills, get them corrected.

If you keep an eye on your consumption, bills and payments and keep copies of them (download and save online PDF bills/statements) then you'll have your own information if it all goes wrong in the future.

I'm not suggesting that it will but having your own info makes it a lot easier to unravel it if it does.