Can your landlord prevent you from switching energy providers?

JohnDHaslam

Hi,
We’ve just moved in to a property and the landlord has put a block on us changing providers.

It’s currently on an economy tariff with eon and we don’t know which or what time the cheap rates are.

We use most of our energy during the day as I work from home so we’re not sure an economy tariff works for us.

The landlord is asking that we provide them meter readings and they’ll tell us how much we owe them. We weren’t made aware of this when we moved in so we only took readings of what was showing which is the day rate.

Any guidance would be good from anyone in the know.

John

SandraX

Sadly, no! Law changed a few years back.

elsien

Why is the landlord telling you to pay them? Do you rent the whole property and do you not pay the utility company directly?

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/how-switch-energy-supplier-and-shop-better-deal/how-switch-energy-supplier-if-you-re-tenant

Mr.Generous

I thought you could change after 6 months. Can't remember where I read it sorry.

Chino

Mr.Generous wrote: »

I thought you could change after 6 months. Can't remember where I read it sorry.

Apparently tenants can't switch their energy supplier if the landlord pays the energy company:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-a-better-energy-deal/switching-energy-supplier-if-youre-a-tenant/

Biscuit_Tin

JohnDHaslam wrote: »

Hi,
We’ve just moved in to a property and the landlord has put a block on us changing providers.

It’s currently on an economy tariff with eon and we don’t know which or what time the cheap rates are.

We use most of our energy during the day as I work from home so we’re not sure an economy tariff works for us.

The landlord is asking that we provide them meter readings and they’ll tell us how much we owe them. We weren’t made aware of this when we moved in so we only took readings of what was showing which is the day rate.

Any guidance would be good from anyone in the know.

John

Then don't provide the meter readings, and don't pay the landlord any extra than you agreed.

dogshome

A slightly strange one in that the Landlord has kept the account in his name even though the meter is situated in the tenanted property, and I'm afraid that as it is 'his' account, Eon won't even talk to you, let alone Switch provider


The L/lord is not allowed to add profit to the suppliers billing, so the 1st thing is search Eon's site to find the costs of the E7 tariff in your area.
However
This will only show the current tariffs on offer and the LL could be on an earlier 'Fixed ' tariff that is cheaper, but either way, his costs to you should not be higher than the current tariffs


Eco7's advantages only show if you heat the hot water overnight and have Storage radiators that do the same - What heating do you have?

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

JohnDHaslam wrote: »

Hi,
We’ve just moved in to a property and the landlord has put a block on us changing providers.

It’s currently on an economy tariff with eon and we don’t know which or what time the cheap rates are.

We use most of our energy during the day as I work from home so we’re not sure an economy tariff works for us.

The landlord is asking that we provide them meter readings and they’ll tell us how much we owe them. We weren’t made aware of this when we moved in so we only took readings of what was showing which is the day rate.

Any guidance would be good from anyone in the know.

John

Hi JohnDHaslam and welcome to the forum.

Thank you all on the thread.

Just so I get this right, you've moved in to a property, but the bills are in the Landlords name and you pay for the energy used to them?

You don't have the account in your name? And bills sent to you?

If this is the case then account will fully be in the landlords name and we wouldn't discuss this with yourself.

I'm not sure what sort of economy tariff that you're on, but if it's economy 7, we can just change the tariff and bill this as a one rate.

But we would need to discuss what would be best with the account holder.

I'm not sure what your TA does say, but it would be worth having a word with the landlord, even if it would get you on to a better tariff.

Thank you

Helena

macman

I suggest that you register for an account with the existing provider, then you are free to switch. As the occupier, you are liable for the bills, so pay them yourself.
If you have an AST of 6m or more, the LL cannot prevent you switching.
I would certainly not permit a situation where the LL does his own calculation and then bills you himself?
What is his objection to you switching?
Bear in mind that if you come off E7 then a metering change may be required.
The E7 hours are determined by your local DNO, nothing to do with Eon. normally midnight to 7am or 1am to 8am if teleswitched. If mechanically switched, they can often be hours out.