Energy query

ojames2018

I am new to this site, and also I have a new energy supplier, 4 weeks. What interested me in their services was the cost of the tariff they showed on the mse website, so I signed up. 3 weeks later they email me and say they want to change it to a much higher rate. They say this is because of the previous Tennant's use as a family over the last 2 years from a different provider. Well I'm single and work all day, sleep all night so I can't understand why they won't consider my plea or objections about this. Out fox the market want to increase my monthlies by £25 on gas and electric. What can I do?

Robin9

ojames - who is your supplier ?  I assume you have been reading your meter and done your own sums as to how much your bill is compared to the estimated DD.

Gerry1

If it's a variable tariff, check out other companies such as Neon Reef, Gulf, Yorkshire Energy, Avro etc.  Start with the Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?' price comparison websites so that you are seeing the whole of the market, not forgetting to check whether separate fuels are cheaper. 

If it's a fixed tariff with an exit penalty, submit a formal complaint, assuming you're in credit and your metered usage suggests you'll stay that way.  If no luck, go to the Ombudsman.

Alternatively, you could ask the bank to refund the higher DD to which you haven't agreed, but first check OFTM's Ts &Cs very carefully because they may sting you.

Biscuit_Tin

ojames2018 said:

I am new to this site, and also I have a new energy supplier, 4 weeks. What interested me in their services was the cost of the tariff they showed on the mse website, so I signed up. 3 weeks later they email me and say they want to change it to a much higher rate. They say this is because of the previous Tennant's use as a family over the last 2 years from a different provider. Well I'm single and work all day, sleep all night so I can't understand why they won't consider my plea or objections about this. Out fox the market want to increase my monthlies by £25 on gas and electric. What can I do?

You need to choose a fixed (or capped where available) tariff to ensure the tariff rate does not get increased over the term. If you have chosen a variable tariff, then the supplier may vary the tariff, but even then it usually requires a month's notice so you can switch if you don't like it.

But you seem to be referring to the amount of your monthly direct debit, not the tariff rate. Your direct debit is simply a method of payment, and credits are applied to your energy account to offset the debits due to your consumption at the agreed tariff.

MSE uses the information you supply. It's a computer program, and like all computer programmes, GIGO applies. If you are new to the property, where did you get the data you input into MSE from?

Equally, it can be argued that what a previous account holder/tenant used may well diifer from your own usage in the same property.

This MSE guide explains how to challenge the level of monthly direct debit if you feel it is unreasonable. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/lower-energy-direct-debits/

Edit: Btw, because of the Covid-19 outbreak, OFTM gave an undertakling not to increase customers monthly direct debits during this time.
https://www.outfoxthemarket.co.uk/faqs/?q=covid-19

Welcome to MSE.

Talldave

ojames2018 said:

I am new to this site, and also I have a new energy supplier, 4 weeks. What interested me in their services was the cost of the tariff they showed on the mse website, so I signed up. 3 weeks later they email me and say they want to change it to a much higher rate. They say this is because of the previous Tennant's use as a family over the last 2 years from a different provider. Well I'm single and work all day, sleep all night so I can't understand why they won't consider my plea or objections about this. Out fox the market want to increase my monthlies by £25 on gas and electric. What can I do?

If you provide the meter readings when you switched to the new supplier, and the readings now, fellow forumites can look at what your consumption is and advise on what level your monthly payment ought to be at. 

The energy industry is institutionally incompetent with archaic processes and procedures that don't reflect our 21st century society.  The anonymous (and unanswerable to anyone) organisation that monitors meter readings has no concept of people moving in and out of properties.  Even less so does it have a grasp of the simple fact that you will undoubtedly use less energy than the family that was resident before you.  Suppliers will therefore blunder on making assumptions based on irrelevant consumption history just as they always have, even though they are aware that there has been a change of occupier.  Yes it's pathetic, but the best you can do is start submitting very frequent meter readings to prove your actual consumption and challenge any ludicrous estimates of consumption that don't reflect your lifestyle.