Change of supplier

BrendaM

I am with first direct for my energy consumption, the fixed tariff I am on expires on 31st Jan but I also move house on this day. I have had a cheaper quote elsewhere but am not sure if I can change supplier and move house on the same day? Or is it better to stay with first direct for a week after the move then change suppliers?

footyguy

BrendaM wrote: »

I am with first direct for my energy consumption, the fixed tariff I am on expires on 31st Jan but I also move house on this day. I have had a cheaper quote elsewhere but am not sure if I can change supplier and move house on the same day? Or is it better to stay with first direct for a week after the move then change suppliers?

First Direct? Did you mean First Utility?

Any request for a change of energy supplier will take at least 17 days, so you are too late.

Don't forget to tell your existing supplier that you are leaving, and provide an outgoing meter reading for that day you go.

Similarly, don't forget to register with the supplier that supplies the new address, and provide them an opening read on the day you move in or otherwise become responsible for the supply there.

dogshome

You're Lucky
Most suppliers regard a house move as a 'Get-Out-of-Jail Free' card so far as Exit Fee's are concerned - A very few don't and FU is one of them.

When the existing fix has expired, FU will default you the the expensive Standard Variable tariff, so tell them your moving the day after the Fix expires.
You will get a bill for one day the Standard Tariff, but that's hell of lot less than paying them exit fees (£30 per fuel ?)

footyguy

dogshome wrote: »

You're Lucky
Most suppliers regard a house move as a 'Get-Out-of-Jail Free' card so far as Exit Fee's are concerned - A very few don't and FU is one of them.

When the existing fix has expired, FU will default you the the expensive Standard Variable tariff, so tell them your moving the day after the Fix expires.
You will get a bill for one day the Standard Tariff, but that's hell of lot less than paying them exit fees (£30 per fuel ?)

Customers should receive notice 49-42 days prior to the end of a contract period not only informing them that they said contractual period is coming to an end, but that early exit fees can no longer apply.
Failure to issue such notice is in itself a cause to prohibit the application of early exit fees.

The OP indicates they are within this window.

These are rules laid down by the regulator to which all suppliers must abide.

Some suppliers, even the big ones, may indeed be getting it wrong, as this MSE article says:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/energy/2017/01/energy-firms-still-wrongly-telling-those-with-energy-fixes-ending-they-face-exit-fees-to-switch

dogshome

For Early Exit fee's not to be applied, the customer has to initiate a Switch to another supplier during the 49/42 day window.

With a house move on the day the current tariff expires, why on earth would the OP initiate a Switch that can never be completed ?

This is First Utility and the initials say quite a lot about their business mantra.
The present contract expires at midnight on 31st January - Inform them you have moved at noon and have Exit Fee's added to the Final Bill

footyguy

dogshome wrote: »

For Early Exit fee's not to be applied, the customer has to initiate a Switch to another supplier during the 49/42 day window.
...

Please refer again to the link I provided

So what ARE the official rules on exit fees?

Ofgem's rules state that customers must not be charged exit fees if they leave during or after the ‘switching window’, which is defined as "49 calendar days before a fixed-term contract ends".

(my highlighting in red)

If you believe this information to be incorrect, please contact MSE with your supporting evidence.

dogshome

OK - Leave is open to many interpretations, but certainly covers those customers who Switch within the window, but what the OP is doing is moveing house and Cancelling the contract .

FU have a history of applying Exit Fee's to home movers, from memory I think they were the 1st supplier to do so, and I see no reason why they would change their policy because the cancellation is within hours of the the Fixed Tariffs end