Switching with a negative balance

Chud786

Hi Hope this doesn't like a stupid question.I pay my energy by monthly DD and currently have a negative balance.This is normal for this time of year and it balances out over the year.
Question is do I have to clear the outstanding balance before I can switch.Current deal ends in April. Thanks

victor2

Chud786 wrote: »

Hi Hope this doesn't like a stupid question.I pay my energy by monthly DD and currently have a negative balance.This is normal for this time of year and it balances out over the year.
Question is do I have to clear the outstanding balance before I can switch.Current deal ends in April. Thanks

If it's just the usual seasonal fluctuation in your balance, then you don't have to clear it before you switch, but you do have to settle the final bill produced when you switch.

Essmum

Some suppliers wont let you switch if there is a debit balance on the account.
Give your supplier a call/email ask them what their policy is..

somuchindebt

It depends who you are with. I've had a balance of around £700 and switched. Supplier offered to split in monthly payments interest free for up to 12 payments

Benight

Chud786 wrote: »

Hi Hope this doesn't like a stupid question.I pay my energy by monthly DD and currently have a negative balance.This is normal for this time of year and it balances out over the year.
Question is do I have to clear the outstanding balance before I can switch.Current deal ends in April. Thanks

No.

But you will receive a final bill after you have switched, usually within 6 weeks of the supplier ceasing to supply you. Settlement of that final bill is expected within 2 weeks of issue.

Benight

Essmum wrote: »

Some suppliers wont let you switch if there is a debit balance on the account.
Give your supplier a call/email ask them what their policy is..

I'm not sure which suppliers you have had experience of that have done that.

Anyone who experiences this should follow the suppliers complaint procedure and expect at the very least a goodwill gesture, and if appropriate full damages.It may take time, as if the supplier is ignoring their licence conditions, they'll probably ignore any complaint too, but the ombudsman will give you full support in these circumstances if/when necessary.

Remember, you need to try to mitigate any loss if it comes to damages, so a quick call asap to the errant supplier to see if they will change their mind without the ombudsman intervening is worthwhile.

(Try to get some evidence if they are still refusing; perhaps record the call if possible, ask the supplier to put their response in writing, or just send a letter/email etc as confirmation that the call was made, what time & date, and your undewrstanding of the supplier's response. )

Essmum

Suppliers are allowed to stop people switching if money is owed on the account.
The amount varies from supplier..some wont allow a switch if £50 is owed and others will allow a switch as long as the balance is under £500,so as I previously said call/email supplier and ask them what their criteria on this is.