Glide fuel provider

thecarrolls

Hello
My son has recently moved into a new student house, he is a 2nd year student so previously in halls. The previous tenants used Glide , he decided not to use them and has used a standard energy provider. He has now received a bill stating that he owes them in the region of £200 for disconnection services. Not once has he agreed anything in writing or entered into a contract with them, they did ring him and tried a hard sale on him but he remained non commital  with them. The statement has an account number etc on it , surely this is not legal. I’ve told him not to contact them at the moment, how are we best to proceed with them ? Any help would be grateful 
Helen 

Robin9

You don't enter into a written contract these days. Is the bill in his name ?

When he moved in did he ring Glide and give them a meter reading ? Only then should he contact a new supplier.

thecarrolls

I’m checking with him, we provided the new energy company with the meter readings through a switching company and had an email to say we don’t need to do anything...(the usual response from these companies).

thecarrolls

Yes the account is in his name.

Robin9

I think your son has caught a bit of an expensive cold here - it's quite probable that the previous tenants didn't give final readings and he's paying for energy they used.

Gerry1

What does the itemised bill show?  He should have registered with them and provided a meter reading the moment he moved in: only then should he have started switching.  If he didn't do this then the opening reading may be an estimate, or the previous occupants may have given a closing reading that was deliberately low.  Either way, it will probably be difficult to challenge it now.

He will have to pay for the energy used until the switch was completed together with the daily charges.  Glide's rates are extremely expensive, but are unlikely to result in a bill for £200 for one month in summer.  However, exit fees should not apply if he did not agree to join them.

Make a one-off payment for the kWh and daily charges on the itemised bill, but dispute any exit fees.  If they persist, demand a recording of all the telephone calls to see whether he agreed to join them and whether the terms and conditions were explained.

thecarrolls

Many thanks for all your help , we have unraveled everything and have managed to sort it out ending with us being liable for a very small portion of the bill. 

Robin9

You say he switched though one of the switching companies ?   Which one ? 

For the future - he can get a better deal by switching direct.