Rental agreement doesn't allow changing energy provider

JLondon626

Hi,
We've rented our flat for a year now and are currently in the process of signing up to stay on for a second year, however the contract states that we are not allowed to change from the current provider. Is this allowed? Does anybody know if we are able to swap of whether this does in fact lock us in.
From my brief look online it seems like we can swap, but would need to notify the landlord and then ensure the we swap back to the provider at the end of the lease date. Though I could do this if necessary the landlord can at times be very hard to get hold of and it would mean I would have to look out for exit fees.
If anyone has any experience with this / can provide any advice I would be very greatful
Thanks
Jack

welshmoneylover

JLondon626 wrote: »

Hi,
We've rented our flat for a year now and are currently in the process of signing up to stay on for a second year, however the contract states that we are not allowed to change from the current provider. Is this allowed? Does anybody know if we are able to swap of whether this does in fact lock us in.
From my brief look online it seems like we can swap, but would need to notify the landlord and then ensure the we swap back to the provider at the end of the lease date. Though I could do this if necessary the landlord can at times be very hard to get hold of and it would mean I would have to look out for exit fees.
If anyone has any experience with this / can provide any advice I would be very greatful
Thanks
Jack

Swap, the landlord can’t do very much and just blame it on an erroneous transfer.

footyguy

JLondon626 wrote: »

Hi,
We've rented our flat for a year now and are currently in the process of signing up to stay on for a second year, however the contract states that we are not allowed to change from the current provider. Is this allowed? Does anybody know if we are able to swap of whether this does in fact lock us in.
From my brief look online it seems like we can swap, but would need to notify the landlord and then ensure the we swap back to the provider at the end of the lease date. Though I could do this if necessary the landlord can at times be very hard to get hold of and it would mean I would have to look out for exit fees.
If anyone has any experience with this / can provide any advice I would be very greatful
Thanks
Jack

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/you-switch-gas-electricity#rentingfactsheet

seven-day-weekend

I can't see what difference it makes to the LL providing you inform him/her if you vacate the property.

House_Martin

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I can't see what difference it makes to the LL providing you inform him/her if you vacate the property.

The landlord may well have had issues with smaller suppliers who do not run a proper revenue protection unit or inspect meters diligently, so he may want to stay with the only supplier who actually run a proper Revenue Protection Unit like British Gas do.
Personally I would not want to upset my landlord .Far better to simply get on the best tariff the present supplier can supply. If its in the T/C s you must remain with the present supplier then that should be the end of it.
Some suppliers may possibly be making a meter change charge if its two in a year
.Scottish Power used to charge over £200 per meter to change prepay to credit meter until OFGEM stopped suppliers doing this.
By breaking the t/c s of the tenancy agreement you may well be giving the landlord a good excuse for not returning your £400 bond ! any excuse will do for some of them
A meter exchange is nt a free service, the supplier will have to pay one of their private contractors

macman

Such a term is unenforceable, and neither do you need to switch back at the end of tenancy-the incoming tenant can choose who ever they wish. The LL has no control over your choice of utility providers, as they do not pay the bills.