Energy when moving house? What rights do I have?

weston800

Hi all,

My partner and I just became first time buyers.

I was very pro-active in getting all our utilities setup and decided to use USwitch for a good energy deal. We went with Ovo Energy for £69 a month (gas & elec combined), there are obviously T&Cs but I'm keeping an eye on our usage.

The previous owners were with EDF and it took around 3 weeks for the energy to be moved from EDF to Ovo. I contacted EDF as per their request and provided my details plus meter readings from the date we moved in and then on the date the switch took place. EDF have now sent us a bill for £106 addressed to "New Owner/Occupier" (EDF advised me they can't put our names on the bill as we're not customers and never were)

I completely agree that my partner and I are liable to pay for the 3 weeks of energy used but do I have any rights on negotiating this cost? I just don't like the idea of being forced to pay EDF's rate when it was not something I agreed to. 3 weeks for £106 compared to £69 for a month is just crazy. I'm happy to call them to discuss but I wanted some advice first.

Thanks

wavelets

weston800 wrote: »

Hi all,

My partner and I just became first time buyers.

I was very pro-active in getting all our utilities setup and decided to use USwitch for a good energy deal. We went with Ovo Energy for £69 a month (gas & elec combined), there are obviously T&Cs but I'm keeping an eye on our usage.

The previous owners were with EDF and it took around 3 weeks for the energy to be moved from EDF to Ovo. I contacted EDF as per their request and provided my details plus meter readings from the date we moved in and then on the date the switch took place. EDF have now sent us a bill for £106 addressed to "New Owner/Occupier" (EDF advised me they can't put our names on the bill as we're not customers and never were)

I completely agree that my partner and I are liable to pay for the 3 weeks of energy used but do I have any rights on negotiating this cost? I just don't like the idea of being forced to pay EDF's rate when it was not something I agreed to. 3 weeks for £106 compared to £69 for a month is just crazy. I'm happy to call them to discuss but I wanted some advice first.

Thanks

If the bill is not in your name, then you don't have to pay it. It cannot be enforced against you unless it is in your name.

You ask about your rights, but there were obligations you were expected to undertake but failed to do. :cool:

Robin9

Do the readings on your bill agree with what you gave Edf when yu moved in and with what you gave OVO.

The £69 is at best only a guestimate - that may balance out over a full 12 months - what matters is accurate meter readings which give accurate consumption.

weston800

Robin9 wrote: »

Do the readings on your bill agree with what you gave Edf when yu moved in and with what you gave OVO.

The £69 is at best only a guestimate - that may balance out over a full 12 months - what matters is accurate meter readings which give accurate consumption.

Yes the bill is correct, I've checked it against the readings.


The £69 p/m with Ovo is based on terms that we don't go over 12000 kWh gas and 3100 kWh electric (I am taking readings every month and adding them to a spreadsheet (with a formula to calculate the kWh for gas) to ensure we're on track)

Merlin139

What has been your usage in the 3 weeks in kWh's for your Gas and Electricity?

How much would this use of cost you using OVO's rates?

System

weston800 wrote: »

I completely agree that my partner and I are liable to pay for the 3 weeks of energy used but do I have any rights on negotiating this cost? I just don't like the idea of being forced to pay EDF's rate when it was not something I agreed to. 3 weeks for £106 compared to £69 for a month is just crazy. I'm happy to call them to discuss but I wanted some advice first.

Thanks

The amount that suppliers can charge under a Deemed Contract is laid down by Ofgem. Suppliers are not allowed to contract you to a cheaper fixed term tariff without your approval so the supplier's SVT becomes the default tariff. Unlike Sky, insurers etc, energy suppliers are not allowed by Ofgem to haggle over tariff terms. In truth, the difference in cost for 3 weeks between a fixed tariff and a SVT is but a few £s. How have you calculated the difference? I suspect that the £109 is for actual usage (over a cold Winter period) and the £69 is 1/12 of your projected annual cost.