Switching energy supplier

teapot00222

Hello,

I have recently moved into a new flat, and the supplier of gas and energy is Solarplicity. I have been trying to get an account set up with Solarplicity, but every time I phone them up they tell me that the previous tenant has not closed their account, so I can't set one up. I have spoken with the letting agency who have loads of emails from the previous tenant to Solarplicity where they have tried to close the account.

I said this to Solarplicity, who then said there was some sort of 'smart meter issue' and I should call back in 6-8 weeks. After having looked at multiple reviews of Solarplicity, and given the trouble I am having with them so far, I would like to switch gas and energy providers.

However, I don't have an account set up with Solarplicity at the moment. However, I have told them I have moved in and given them my details, but they say I need to wait 6-8 weeks. I am worried that in 6-8 when I phone them again they will be just as clueless.

Therefore, what would happen if I attempted to switch gas and energy suppliers now (without a proper account set up with Solarplicity)... would I be able to? Would this be a good/bad idea?

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas would be hugely appreciated.

Many thanks,

Tim

Neil_Jones

Best thing to do would be just to get on with it. Take meter readings now, find a new supplier, sign up and provide the new supplier with the latest readings as and when they ask for them. The fact the meters are smart doesn't matter, they might be first generation ones that have gone dumb because they've been moved away from somebody else prior to Solarplicity.

The new supplier will give Solarplicity your readings and then you'll get your final bill in the normal way. If they can't or won't generate it then that's their problem.

mac.d

I'd also take photos of the meter showing readings ASAP (and keep hold of them). I'd include them in a complaint letter sent to Solarplicity, with the date you moved in and your details, saying you are registering with them as the deemed supplier from the date you moved in. But you are raising it as a complaint because they aren't allowing you to do so through no fault of your own, and don't want to wait 6-8 weeks while they sort out a problem at their end.

Then you go ahead and switch away to another supplier, giving them your up to date meter readings when they request them as Neil Jones suggests. Hopefully Solarplicity won't block the switch....

Biscuit_Tin

teapot00222 wrote: »

Hello,

I have recently moved into a new flat, and the supplier of gas and energy is Solarplicity. I have been trying to get an account set up with Solarplicity, but every time I phone them up they tell me that the previous tenant has not closed their account, so I can't set one up. I have spoken with the letting agency who have loads of emails from the previous tenant to Solarplicity where they have tried to close the account.

I said this to Solarplicity, who then said there was some sort of 'smart meter issue' and I should call back in 6-8 weeks. After having looked at multiple reviews of Solarplicity, and given the trouble I am having with them so far, I would like to switch gas and energy providers.

However, I don't have an account set up with Solarplicity at the moment. However, I have told them I have moved in and given them my details, but they say I need to wait 6-8 weeks. I am worried that in 6-8 when I phone them again they will be just as clueless.

Therefore, what would happen if I attempted to switch gas and energy suppliers now (without a proper account set up with Solarplicity)... would I be able to? Would this be a good/bad idea?

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas would be hugely appreciated.

Many thanks,

Tim

If you have a cause for complaint with any energy supplier, they all have a published complaint procedure.

I suggest you consider using it.
(but I don't really understand why the supplkier cannot open a new account in your name; it has nothing to do with the previous tenant) - Welcome to MSE, btw.
Are they suggesting you don't have to pay for your energy that you use for the next 8 weeks? :huh:
If so, fill yer boots!

You cannot switch a supplier until you have a supplier.

DHTG

The 6-8 week excuse from Solarplicity is because they have been banned by energy regulator Ofgem from acquiring new customers due to a plethora of service problems and complaints. They are planning to commence recruiting customers again from 5th August.


Your experience with the company so far could be an indicator of their service issues.


Which? and Citizens Advice rank Solarplicity poorly. Also take a look at Trustpilot reviews
I support the advice of mac.d. Take photos of meters, keep careful details of your contact with Solarplicity and commence a switch to a more helpful supplier.

teapot00222

Thank you to everyone for your helpful responses. As suggested, I went ahead and tried to switch to Octopus, but Solarplicity have blocked the switch. I phoned Solarplicity and they said again that the previous tenant's account is still open, and the switch can't go through until this is sorted. I have contacted the letting agency who told me that the previous tenant has been trying to close the account for a while, with no success.

I appear to be stuck with Solarplicity for now, and am just wondering if anyone has any thoughts/ideas/suggestions on my best course of action from here?

Many thanks for all your help - it is very much appreciated.

mac.d

As already said, take photos of your meters so that you have proof of readings.

Send them an email with the subject COMPLAINT, and give them the date you moved in and took over the supply, the meter readings from that date (or as near as possible), and attach the photos of the meters too. Tell them you have already phoned to register with them as the deemed supplier but they are refusing to do this and have blocked your switch to a supplier of your choice.

Depending on their reply, you will then need to follow their complaints procedure, and they have 8 weeks to resolve this before you can take it to the ombudsman.

See Solarplicity: https://solarplicity.com/about/complaints

Loonytunes

Do whatever you can to not use solarplicity. 6 months after changing energy supplier, they still owe me hundreds of pounds of credit that was on my account. Do not use them if you can possibly help it.