Exit fee cut-off date

ikr2

I'm about to leave Zog for my gas after several years with them (my fixed deal is ending on 5th Feb).

All the wording on their paperwork indicates I will be liable for the £30 early exit fee for my Mercury 24 tariff if I leave before the exit date.

I'm sure it used to be that if you were within so many days of the end of the deal, the exit fee didn't apply. Is that right?

I've also emailed Zog to check but need to start my switch

JJ_Egan

No if you switch now no exit fees.

[Deleted User]

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2017/01/energy-firms-still-wrongly-telling-those-with-energy-fixes-ending-they-face-exit-fees-to-switch/

If you're in the last 49 days of your fix, you DON'T have to pay an exit fee and can switch to a different provider penalty-free.

The_Green_Hornet

Zog Energy normally sends you an e-mail 49 days prior to the end of your fix explaining your options. In the e-mail I received recently when my fix was coming do an end it stated in bold letters:

Remember - it might be worth thinking about switching your tariff or supplier. You may switch to any other provider from today with no exit fee.

Did you not receive an e-mail?

Thomas_Edison

Anyone know if it's when you start or end your switch that needs to be in the last 49 days?

ikr2

Thanks everyone. I went back to my Zog end-of-tariff email and have spotted the bit that The Green Hornet pointed out. It also says under my current tariff info, "exit fees (if you cancel before the end date): £30", which confused me.

Off to switch now!

gt94sss2

Thomas_Edison wrote: »

Anyone know if it's when you start or end your switch that needs to be in the last 49 days?

When you start the switch.

But be warned, its actually 42-49 days so always wait for a) your existing supplier to contact you (they all should) or b) for the 42 day mark to avoid any issues before starting to switch

[Deleted User]

Thomas_Edison wrote: »

Anyone know if it's when you start or end your switch that needs to be in the last 49 days?

From the MSE article https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2017/01/energy-firms-still-wrongly-telling-those-with-energy-fixes-ending-they-face-exit-fees-to-switch/

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".

You can apply to switch at any point during a fixed-term contract without having to pay exit fees, as long as the switch is actually completed during the switching window.

gt94sss2

gsmlnx wrote: »

From the MSE article https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2017/01/energy-firms-still-wrongly-telling-those-with-energy-fixes-ending-they-face-exit-fees-to-switch/

The Ofgem website states:

Customers would receive a notice 42-49 days before the end date of a fixed-term tariff to tell them the tariff is coming to an end. If a customer chose to switch after this point, suppliers can’t charge a termination fee.

Thomas_Edison

Thanks!

I can see MSE updated their article specifically for these cases, but that clears it up and makes a lot of sense.

As long as your switch completes in the last 49 days you're good.

If it was the other way around, it would then only really be a 28 day window as it takes 21 to switch .

gt94sss2

Thomas_Edison wrote: »

If it was the other way around, it would then only really be a 28 day window as it takes 21 to switch .

If you are in the process of switching provider, the old provider has to keep you on your existing fixed tariff for 20 days past the official end date of your deal - rather than changing the price charged.