Moving home in the middle of a 12 month dual fuel contract?

Luke88

Hi all,

Apologies if similar questions have been posted before but I can't find the answer to this.

We recently moved on 9th August and were previously in a 12 month dual fuel contract with green network energy, I think this would have come to an end on 9th Dec.

I called today to advise of final meter readings and that I would like to continue the rest of the contract at the new property. There are early exit fees of £50 so it probably isn't cost effective to pay these to move to a new energy supplier (but I will do the sums on that). On the phone they advised me that's not possible and that I could either pay early exit fees and go elsewhere or sign up for a new contract. When I questioned further he said I could sign up for a variable deal for a minimum of 28 days then switch with no early fees, but that seems like a lot of faff. He wasn't trying to pressure me in to anything and said multiple times if I use price comparison websites they will give better prices than he can offer.

I did ask him to raise a complaint because it does not seem reasonable as I simply want to fulfil the contract I entered in to! I know other companies like Virgin Media previously employed the same tactics e.g. you move you sign a new contract or you pay early termination costs.

Can anyone advise if what I've been told is correct? If so I guess my options are find the best current deal with GNE to avoid fees, find a better deal that will work out cheaper whilst paying £50 fees (maybe not possible), sign up for the variable GNE and leave after 28 days (probably my least favourite!)

Thanks in advance
Luke

[Deleted User]

When you vacate your old property it ends the contract with that supplier with no exit fees to pay.
At your new address register with the supplier to the property first with correct start readings on the date you took over the ownership or tenancy, not when you actually moved in..
Once you have done that you are free to move to another supplier or your old one on a new contact .It cannot be the old one on the old tariff rates because that contract ended when you vacated.
No point in raising any complaint.That is how the system is set up. I m not sure what other way it could work.

Personally I m going to vote for Labour if they promise to renationalise the Utilities industry. Its absolutely out of control and completely bonkers !

Luke88

Thanks Houbara. I hope that this is the case, the bloke on the phone however seemed adamant that the only way to avoid early termination fees was to sign up for some kind of new deal with GNE, whether that was variable or a fixed term contract.

Are you able to point me in the direction of any regulations or T&Cs that I could mention to GNE to avoid paying the termination fees?

PixelPound

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/moving-home-your-energy-supply/moving-home-dealing-with-your-energy-supply/

If you are moving home and changing supplier there will be an exit fee if one is applicable. If you keep the same tariff and supplier and just move address the supplier may allow you to do that so avoiding the exit fee, but no requirement for them to do so. So if they saying they won't then you need to pay the exit fee.

also
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/do-i-have-to-pay-an-exit-fee-when-switching-energy-suppliers#do-i-have-to-pay-an-exit-fee-if-i-move-house

Luke88

Thanks for the info. I did a bit of research using MSE's cheap energy club (highly recommended).

I noticed that Bulb pay any early termination fees, and a friend referred me so we will each get £50 credit to our bills.

You can leave them without any fees so I figured they were the best option and I can jump ship if a much better deal comes along.