Another spark question!

zmd1201

I've read on here that loads of people have had issues with Spark when moving into rented properties, so I am feeling reassured that I am not alone!

The week after I moved in, I tried to switch from Spark to my previous supplier First Utility, and it has been blocked now by Spark for 6 weeks. Because of this, they have given me a bill that charges me 6p more per unit of electric, and 3p more for Gas.

Given that I never agreed to this tariff, do I have to pay the full price or has anyone had any success arguing that it is unfair and they should have their bill amended to reflect a standard tariff?

I'm not willing to give them my payment details until I know exactly what my rights are in terms of Spark forcing me to stay with them for extra weeks (which gives me extra weeks of excessive tariffs!)

Thanks all

System

zmd1201 wrote: »

I've read on here that loads of people have had issues with Spark when moving into rented properties, so I am feeling reassured that I am not alone!

The week after I moved in, I tried to switch from Spark to my previous supplier First Utility, and it has been blocked now by Spark for 6 weeks. Because of this, they have given me a bill that charges me 6p more per unit of electric, and 3p more for Gas.

Given that I never agreed to this tariff, do I have to pay the full price or has anyone had any success arguing that it is unfair and they should have their bill amended to reflect a standard tariff?

I'm not willing to give them my payment details until I know exactly what my rights are in terms of Spark forcing me to stay with them for extra weeks (which gives me extra weeks of excessive tariffs!)

Thanks all

I cannot comment on Spark but the moment that you took responsibility for the property you were on a legally-binding Deemed Contract with the existing supplier. Had you contacted them with your details and meter readings on the day that you moved in, you would have been free to switch suppliers without penalty. That said, you would have had to pay the Deemed Supplier for the period up to the day of the transfer of supply. Ofgem sets the regulations for what suppliers can charge under Deemed Contract terms. I am afraid that you might just have to put this one down to experience.

House_Martin

Anyone who moves into a Spark Energy supplied property who has prepayment meters and they are very common with rentals, should visit a comparison site to compare just how cheap they are. Maybe it is best to stick with Spark Energy with their very good prepay meter rates and stop complaining about Sparks back handers to letting agents
In my area they are the second cheapest supplier for single rate prepay meters ,at a not bad rate of 13.2 p /kwh and 27p dsc.
Eco 7 prepays are around 7 th cheapest out of around 30 suppliers with 12.p day rate , 8.5 night rate 27 p dsc.
People on credit meters should move off Sparks SVT on to a much cheaper yearly fix to be competitive with the cheaper suppliers.
Spark Energy get more than their fair share of problems with new occupiers moving in who may not be experienced in looking after the utility bills and who fail to contact the supplier giving their full details and start meter readings. They then get big bills sent to them which are the last occupiers bills who has moved out without informing the supplier.
I read meters for Spark Energy and hear the new occupiers complaints quite often about not knowing which supplier they are with

Former Spark Representative

Hi zmd1201

Sorry to hear you're not happy. Some good advice given to you on this thread, thanks to Hengus and House Martin.

It sounds like we were already supplying your property when you moved in, meaning that we supply you under a "deemed contract" as explained by Hengus. You'll be on our Move In Saver tariff, and you either have the choice to choose another tariff with Spark or change supplier.

If you've been with us for some time and haven't made any payments to us, we are within our rights to reject any transfer requests we receive, so it'd be best for you to make sure everything's up to date before asking another supplier to take over.

If you need any help getting your account ready for transfer, please drop me a line to the email address on my profile. I'll need your full name, your MSE screen name and your full supply address.

Kind regards

Jenny
Customer Relations Manager