Switch Issues Previous Tennants

Leigh23

Hi all

Sorry for the long post but do bare with me as I need major advice!

I am due to move into a 2 bed flat I will be renting from a landlord.

We found out previous tenants had the energy supplier as Scottish Power so contacted them to open an account so we could switch out asap. We are due to move in on 1st August so started trying to switch. Previous tenants, I dont know what they were doing as SP are trying to charge us £140 as like an 'average usage' type of thing.

We agreed that was terribly excessive and found a switch link for Octopus online that would give us £50 off our bill which would help after paying out over £2000 on various things to be able to live there (furniture etc).

When we tried to do the switch it said they are still supplying our energy... which was odd as Scottish power are.

We got in touch with octopus and they told us that previous tenants set their account up in the August 2018 and left in October 2018 for SP. Octopus took a final meter reading and SP havent given over their crossover reading, or ot was not matching up to what octopus had so since October last year they have been chasing it up.

When we spoke to Octopus they advised they would see if there is a way round this so the property can have supply from them again. We were emailed to say I can go and do the switch and it would switch earliest 2nd August.

Great.

Apart from 3 days ago when we called SP to say we were switching they said errrr no you arent... nothings on the national database you're still down as being with us...

Spoke to Octopus who told me that 'the switch is happening... oh wait yeah I can see actually it's been set up funny it's not gonna happen after all as there is an outstanding dispute'.

I'm absolutely up the wall trying to sort it out - 3 people have emailed from Octopus to SP to get these metre readings so I can just have some electricity that isnt scottish power (I've been advised they arent very good to deal with by customers in work and oh how right they are! 4 times on one call a guy asked me what I was calling about then palmed me off to billing)

HELP what do I do! Do I have any rights?

Norman_Castle

Go with SP then arrange to switch, the £140 is a guestimate and will be adjusted when you leave SP. Trying to switch before taking over the supply is causing the problem.

Leigh23

Would we get some kind or refund then if we dont use £140 worth of electricity? The problem isnt with us switching ive been told it's the previous tennants when they switched out and didnt pay what they oweddue to the disputed meter readings

Robin9

Yes you will get a refund if your consumption is less, but you may pay more if the consumption is more as because as Leigh23 has said "it's a guestimate"

The important bit is that you have your readings from when you moved in till now - can you give us details please ?

Leigh23

I have 'a' reading which my partner took but we didnt know if the machine is meant to give two? (We are only doing this moving thing for the first time so are new to this!) We got keys on Friday so knocked at another flat to see where the meter actually was to find it was under the stairs in a keypadded door. We took a photo of the first reading and had it sent to me on whatsapp so its dated if they dispute it. We dont move in now until this friday but have not touched a single switch in the flat so we can see if something has changed during the week.

Cardew

You will initially be on a legally binding 'deemed contract' with SP and it will take, usually, 2/3 weeks to switch to your chosen supplier.


It is essential you contact SP on 01 August with the meter readings on that date. Take a photo.


Your new supplier(Octopus) will contact you after a couple of weeks and request a meter reading. You will be responsible for paying SP the difference between the two meter readings. SP will charge at their highest tariff rate.


Edit - Posts crossed. The date you got the keys will be the initial reading to give SP - don't forget you will pay xxp per day as a daily standing charge(DSC) and that applies from the date you were responsible for the property.

Norman_Castle

The previous tenants usage is nothing to do with you. Supply a reading from the day you start the tenancy. Any previous debt is the suppliers problem, not yours.

The £140 payment is just money held by them which will be used to cover your bill. Any overpayment will be returned to you.


Look online to find out how to read the meter. Scroll through the screens and note all readings.

Leigh23

I know it costs x amount each day but if anything is making the readings drastically more then I'll have to look into what's going on... I'll get in the cupboard again on 1st and call with the readings.

I've told octopus to keep me updated on the issue/dispute with SP due to previous tennants. Hopefully they sort it soon because that £140 a month might take a couple of months for them to whittle down to the correct usage amount. Pair of us work 11 hour days during the week and of a weekend we tend to go out so I cant see us using that much energy :eek:

Talldave

When does your tenancy start? Since you already have the keys I suspect it's already started. I only ask because it sounds as if the 1st August date is irrelevant. Things start from the date you're responsible for the property. As you've taken readings already (gas & water as well?) it sounds like you're half way there.

But as other have said you need to sign up with SP first, get the account set up and switch later. Anything to do with previous tenants and their bills/debts is nothing to do with you - pass any paperwork on to the letting agents/landlord.

Leigh23

Norman - I've been told otherwise by the company which is why I'm so annoyed. Scottish Power said the £140 is based on previous tennants average usage and will take about 3 months to even out again to our actual usage. They wont give me a smart metre either which is annoying.

Switch with octopus started 3 weeks ago and it's been messed up which they have told me is to do with there being an open account for the property due to dispute and Money owed. I'm in contact with someone imat octopus who is emailing me this information

Leigh23

No gas just electricity. Water meter readings is all done thankfully they were easy to deal with haha! It's just this silly electricity. My friend has a 3 bed house which is only electric... 2 kids on the xbox all day and leaving this on left right and centre and she doesnt even pay £140 bill. Crazy stuff like.