49 day window exit fee question

WGGRACE

I'm on a tariff which ends on 7/12/19, so I believe my 49 day window to switch energy with no exit fee begins on 19/10/19.

does this mean I have to wait until that day to initiate a switch, or can I start one a few days before, just as long as the actual switch date is after 19/10/19?

Thanks!

Robin9

You can start anytime after the 19th - if it completes before Dec 7th there's no problem

Flt._Lt._Biggles

WGGRACE wrote: »

I'm on a tariff which ends on 7/12/19, so I believe my 49 day window to switch energy with no exit fee begins on 19/10/19.

does this mean I have to wait until that day to initiate a switch, or can I start one a few days before, just as long as the actual switch date is after 19/10/19?

Thanks!

You can ititiate a switch before the switching window opens, but then you risk the switch taking place before the switching window opening.

It is the date the switch actually occurs, not the date you initiate it, that dictates whether or not you will be liable for any early exit fee.

Furthermore, the chances are that a switch this year will mean you will be put on a more expensive tariff than you are currently on, so it's often best to try and keep on the existing one as long as you can *:money:

Even if the actual switch occurs shortly after the otherwsie expirarion date of the current tariff, you will remain on it until the switch occurs as long as the current supplier is advised of the intended switch by the new supplier before that exiration date (other terms apply)

* the flip side is that you may have seen a very appealing tariff offered today that you wish to apply for, but risk the fact it may be withdrawn to new applicants if you delay.

Puffer

Flt._Lt._Biggles wrote: »

You can ititiate a switch before the switching window opens, but then you risk the switch taking place before the switching window opening.

It is the date the switch actually occurs, not the date you initiate it, that dictates whether or not you will be liable for any early exit fee.

Furthermore, the chances are that a switch this year will mean you will be put on a more expensive tariff than you are currently on, so it's often best to try and keep on the existing one as long as you can *:money:

Even if the actual switch occurs shortly after the otherwsie expirarion date of the current tariff, you will remain on it until the switch occurs as long as the current supplier is advised of the intended switch by the new supplier before that exiration date (other terms apply)

* the flip side is that you may have seen a very appealing tariff offered today that you wish to apply for, but risk the fact it may be withdrawn to new applicants if you delay.

I hope you are right that it is the actually switching date that counts, but what is your authority to state this as I can't find any official reference?

In practice, the switching process can often be achieved in 14 days or a little more. This suggests that (if you are correct), an application to switch made not more than 49 + 14 = 63 days before a tariff ends ought to be penalty-free. Agreed?

EnergyRookie

Puffer wrote: »

I hope you are right that it is the actually switching date that counts, but what is your authority to state this as I can't find any official reference?

In practice, the switching process can often be achieved in 14 days or a little more. This suggests that (if you are correct), an application to switch made not more than 49 + 14 = 63 days before a tariff ends ought to be penalty-free. Agreed?

Flt. Lt. Biggles is correct.
The relevant authority is Ofgem
Ofgem's rules state that customers must not be charged exit fees if they leave during or after the ‘switching window’

I'm not sure why you felt it appropriate to bump this 6 week old thread today :huh:. The OP is well within their switching window now, and hopefully has already initiated a switch.

And your supplier, Ebico, does not charge early exit fees on their zero tariff anyway.

:cool:

Puffer

EnergyRookie wrote: »

Flt. Lt. Biggles is correct.
The relevant authority is Ofgem
Ofgem's rules state that customers must not be charged exit fees if they leave during or after the ‘switching window’

I'm not sure why you felt it appropriate to bump this 6 week old thread today :huh:. The OP is well within their switching window now, and hopefully has already initiated a switch.

And your supplier, Ebico, does not charge early exit fees on their zero tariff anyway.

:cool:

You do not know all my circumstances; I have more than one property to deal with and that formerly with Ebico has already switched. But, other properties aside, as I was not given timely tariff change details by Ebico, I want to make sure that I am prepared for the next potential switch (from whoever is then the supplier) by knowing exactly what the 'window' is.

Having now looked at the Ofgem rules (which are not as clear as they could be), it does appear that the 'switch' should take place within 21 days of the earlier of the date:
(a) that is 14 days after the date of entering into the contract with the new supplier; or
(b) on which any cooling-off period has ended or been waived;
- and if the resultant switch is effected not earlier than 49 days before the ending of the old contract, no fee should be charged.

So, even if the application to transfer creates a contract immediately, there is still some delay before the switch itself becomes effective and the 49 day period becomes relevant. That does suggest that one can start the ball rolling (but carefully) motre than 49 days before the existing contract ends.

I hope this helps others.

OldDIYer

Thanks for the info, it's obvious really, but no one mentions it when you search online.  The safe bet is to start 63 days before the contract end date (14 + 49 days) if, as now for us the new contract is going to be cheaper than the old one.  Otherwise, leave it till about 14 days before the contract end date.