Changing Electric Companies To Avoid Leaving Fees?

jazzy

My current fixed electricity contract expires on the 19 August, which I believe is in the time limit not to be charged an early leaving fee. I have found another electricity provider with the option to take out a new contract online.


Is it normal procedure for a new contract to commence from the final date of the old contract to avoid early leaving fees? or is there usually an option to chose which date you wish the contract to commence from?

Gerry1

It normally takes about three weeks to switch, but the first 14 days is a cooling-off period. I'm not aware that new companies synchronise the date with that of the expiration date of the existing contract.

However, you could always ask them to commence on the appropriate date, and then cancel the switch within the 14-day period if they do not agree.

D_M_E

Your new contract starts from the date the switch goes through - once you have initiated the switch, you have no further say in the process.

You can switch without penalty anytime from 49 days left on your current deal, but to be safe I always look around with 48 days to go.

If new prices are a lot higher then I'd wait until a week to go before attempting to switch.

That is, unless you are moving tariffs with the same supplier then they might switch you right away.

jazzy

Thanks. I have another question. When changing suppliers if you still have 48 days left on your contract (like I have) and the new supplier starts the service before you are out of contract. Do you have to notify your old supplier that you have changed companies? Just worried in case I end up with two suppliers at the same time.

[Deleted User]

@jazzy

The new supplier will tell the current supplier that you are leaving within a few days of you requesting the switch.

At that point, the current provider can object (if you are in excessive debt), not object and it should also contact you (email normally) saying "sorry to see you go" or similar.

So the current supplier is always updated by the new supplier so there shouldn't be 2 suppliers for the same energy at any point

Biscuit_Tin

jazzy wrote: »

My current fixed electricity contract expires on the 19 August, which I believe is in the time limit not to be charged an early leaving fee. I have found another electricity provider with the option to take out a new contract online.


Is it normal procedure for a new contract to commence from the final date of the old contract to avoid early leaving fees? or is there usually an option to chose which date you wish the contract to commence from?

You are now in the switching window and will not incur any early exit fees, no matter when the switch occurs. Which is good, as you can't normally specify when the switch will occur, and even when you can there are no guarantees it will happen on that date.

Consult a comparison site to ensure you are getting yourself a good deal.