Utility point double dd

teamgb

I switched to Utilty Point in June, I have given monthly readings and have always been in credit. My £73 direct debit is paid a month in advance.


Received mail today saying next months DD will increase to £166 more than double.



I admit my usage will increase in the winter months but I will not use more than double and I will not accept this huge increase.


What are my options?


Anyone else had this?

Gerry1

What is your annual consumption in kWh based on actual meter readings? Is this the figure you gave to Utilita when you signed up?

What is the cost of your annual consumption in kWh based on Utilita's published tariffs?

If it's more than £876 then you haven't been paying your way, so Utilita will increase your DD. That may also be the case if you've been using more than previously.

bristolleedsfan

I told them to keep DD as it is and in the event that my credit balance drops to a level that was not covering usage for any forthcoming month(s) I would make seperate bank transfer payment and that was the outcome.

Robin9

Some more detail please - is this gas and electric or electric on E7 only ?

robaltech

This has just happened to us - DD trebled to over £200 pcm.
I checked their terms and conditions and there is a worrying clause in there:

5.13 You must keep your account in credit by paying for the supply in advance by automatic
payment.

they do not permit debit balances at any point and will rack up your DD to cover any debit balance with what appears to be a hefty safety margin for future months. In addition there is the following:

8.1.2 Subject to Clause 5. above, we can increase your automatic payments to cover the
energy we think you'll use during the winter months once your credit balance has been
reduced by such a refund.

"think" being the word in the clause above that allows them to do this.

In addition we have experienced problems sending them emails - not one has got through, all have bounced with a message about relaying.

We cannot switch until 7/12 however once we can we will be off to pastures new.

The moral of the tale - always read and understand the Ts & Cs.

Biscuit_Tin

teamgb wrote: »

I switched to Utilty Point in June, I have given monthly readings and have always been in credit. My £73 direct debit is paid a month in advance.


Received mail today saying next months DD will increase to £166 more than double.



I admit my usage will increase in the winter months but I will not use more than double and I will not accept this huge increase.


What are my options?


Anyone else had this?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/

Neil_Jones

robaltech wrote: »

We cannot switch until 7/12 however once we can we will be off to pastures new.

If your tariff expires on the 7th of December you enter the 49 day window from this Saturday. You don't have to wait until the 7th of December. Unless you mean your tariff actually ends on January 25th next year so your window opens on the 7th of Dec?

teamgb

Thank you everyone for your replies. This is for gas and electric and my fixed deal ends in June 2020.


I did send an email without getting a reply. My DD is due to be paid next week so I rang them and had to listen to 20min of crap music before speaking to someone.


He could not understand why the increase was more than double and did a manual review and came up with a figure of £98.69 which is a 36% increase and I agreed . They will do a further review in February and reduce the DD if my usage is lower.


I am happy with this result but I would say you cannot trust these energy companies, we should not have to jump though hoops to get a result.

Robin9

It's looking like your actual consumption is more than you gave UP in June 2019. What was this figure and what is it today ?

bristolleedsfan

Reason U.P gave me ( even though I didnt as for a reason) for attempts to increase DD, is that a harsh winter is forecast, like was said nobody knows.

Swipe

bristolleedsfan wrote: »

Reason U.P gave me ( even though I didnt as for a reason) for attempts to increase DD, is that a harsh winter is forecast, like was said nobody knows.

You should have told then that the Daily Express is not a credible source for winter forecasts.