Hoping to move house - can I change energy supplier before we go?

LE_Bore

Hi MSE,
My partner is unwell and I have had to give up my job 18 months ago to look after her. Now having very little income, we want to downsize. However, that is not possible at the moment as some works are taking place next door and nobody would buy our house given the state of next door at the moment. We don't have any date for when this might change, maybe less than a year, maybe more. I had wanted to change energy supplier from NPower, who seem to put up our monthly payment every time we open the fridge door and the little light goes on. But I was putting it off until we moved. This situation is dragging on somewhat (like this question). Is it practical to change energy supplier if we are (hopefully) likely to move to a totally different part of the UK in the next 12 months? Will we get tied to a contract after we move even though there may be better deals locally? Are there any problems with changing supplier at this point?
Thank you for your thoughts.

Gerry1

It's always possible to change energy supplier ! The only reason not to do so is that the saving would be wiped out by exit fees. But even then it could be worthwhile if you got a much longer fixed rate.

Usual caveats: search whole of the market, compare annual kWh costs based on actual meter readings, ignore all claimed savings.

Usual advice not to be shy about claiming everything to which you may be entitled: Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Allowance, Grants, Priority Services Register etc.

You may wish to consider tariffs with low or zero exit fees, or even a variable tariff. Some companies don't charge exit fees if you move house or will allow you to take your deal with you: read their Ts & Cs carefully.

Don't delay, do it today !

cranford

When you move in to your new property you have to register with the existing energy suppliers first who will put you on their standard tariff. After this you can then move to new companies or better tariffs with the same companies.
see uswitch guild for advice on finding existing supplier etc:

https://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/moving-house-gas-electricity-guide/

jbuchanangb

I recommend that you change supplier to the one that is best for your present circumstances. When you eventually move, you can ask them to become your supplier at your new address, but when you move in, you will have to enrol with and spend a week or so with the incumbent supplier, while your chosen supplier makes the switch. When I did this a year ago I was only 17 days with the incumbent supplier, and because I took my chosen supplier along with me they did not levy any early termination charges.

WhoIsThat

immac wrote: »

Hi MSE,
My partner is unwell and I have had to give up my job 18 months ago to look after her. Now having very little income, we want to downsize. However, that is not possible at the moment as some works are taking place next door and nobody would buy our house given the state of next door at the moment. We don't have any date for when this might change, maybe less than a year, maybe more. I had wanted to change energy supplier from NPower, who seem to put up our monthly payment every time we open the fridge door and the little light goes on. But I was putting it off until we moved. This situation is dragging on somewhat (like this question). Is it practical to change energy supplier if we are (hopefully) likely to move to a totally different part of the UK in the next 12 months? Will we get tied to a contract after we move even though there may be better deals locally? Are there any problems with changing supplier at this point?
Thank you for your thoughts.

You can certainly apply to switch supplier at your current address
Be careful of any early exit fees that may apply, both to your current traiff and any new one you choose.

Most suppliers do not apply exit fees as a result of moving address, but the odd one does, so ensure you read all the small print before making a final decision.

When you do move, you will take the existing supplier (ETA: who is already supplying) to the new address. But as soon as you are registered with them, you can start switching if you want to.

JJ_Egan

Is the above actually correct in taking a tariff with you ??

Talldave

Surely, when you move, you have to sign up with the incumbent supplier at the new address?


If you want to switch to the supplier you had at your old address, you can initiate a switch to them as soon as your account with the incumbent supplier is opened at the new address, but not before. Whether they treat you as a new customer or let you go back on your previous tariff is presumably entirely down to them.


In the event that the incumbent supplier at the new address is your existing supplier at the old address, you've very little legwork to do.

LE_Bore

Thank you all. Gerry 1, I had never even heard of the Warm House scheme -- I am looking into that tomorrow. I really appreciate your help.

So many informative posts in reply; I am going to go through them thoroughly. Thank you everyone, so much info shared by all; really reassuring to see that.

WhoIsThat

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Is the above actually correct in taking a tariff with you ??

Sorry, that interpretation would indeed be incorrect.

I have added further words to my post to help clarify what I meant as I can understand how it originally could be misconstrued.

I hope the appended post makes things clearer

jbuchanangb

I will add that when I moved house I took my supplier with me, but had to to take their best available tariff, couldn't stay on the one I had before I moved. I did open an account with the incumbent supplier, but that was closed in 17 days when my supplier made the switch.