Moving in to Rented Apartment

inspectorperez

My son is moving into a rented apartment this coming Saturday which is currently supplied by Eon.

Can someone please confirm what he should do in order to either continue supply with the existing provider, or find a cheaper/reliable alternative?

The Eon live chat appears to be on the receiving of a high volume of enquiries, hence the post on this thread!

Gerry1

He needs to get on the Electoral Roll if he's not already on it.

He needs to take a meter reading (and photo) and register with E.On as soon as he takes possession, otherwise he'll be on an expensive deemed tariff and may end up paying for the previous occupant's usage.  He should then do some comparisons starting with Citizens Advice and 'Switch with Which?'.  He'll have to guess the likely usage; separate suppliers may be cheaper.

He needs make sure he understands how everything works: the landlord and lettings agent probably won't be much use so he'll have to do his own research.  Avoid electric room and space heating if possible.

macman

To avoid all doubt, he is in a deemed contract with E.On from day 1. He can't start a switch to an alternative provider until he registers for an account with E.On.
He will also need to register for the water account (take a meter reading if metered) with the regional supplier, and for Council Tax with the LA (25% SPD will apply if he is the sole occupant).

inspectorperez

Thanks for the helpful replies Gerry1 and macman.

The tenancy contract has appeared today and it looks as if the agent has used a standard template and populated with the relavant details. Would you believe there is a standard clause dealing with utilities, which requires the tenant to register for dual fuel with Ovo Energy and then at their own discretion effect a change if desired at a later date.

Having spoken to the Landlord, this is not a requirement they have asked for and appears to have been inserted by the agent without client instruction. Needless to say, that clause is coming out!!

Gerry1

inspectorperez said:

Would you believe there is a standard clause dealing with utilities, which requires the tenant to register for dual fuel with Ovo Energy and then at their own discretion effect a change if desired at a later date.

Having spoken to the Landlord, this is not a requirement they have asked for and appears to have been inserted by the agent without client instruction. Needless to say, that clause is coming out!!

He's lucky it wasn't the dreaded Spark !  Sounds like an Unfair Contract to me, but IANAL.

macman

Correct, it's unenforceable, just strike it out.
The LA will receive a bung from Ovo if he signs up. All too common unfortunately.

inspectorperez

Gerry1 said:

inspectorperez said:

Would you believe there is a standard clause dealing with utilities, which requires the tenant to register for dual fuel with Ovo Energy and then at their own discretion effect a change if desired at a later date.

Having spoken to the Landlord, this is not a requirement they have asked for and appears to have been inserted by the agent without client instruction. Needless to say, that clause is coming out!!

He's lucky it wasn't the dreaded Spark !  Sounds like an Unfair Contract to me, but IANAL.

"At the start of the Tenancy gas and electricity will be provided, or will be in the process of being provided by OVO Gas Ltd and OVO Electricity Ltd (“OVO Energy”). Spark Energy Limited is a specialist subsidiary of OVO and will provide customer service and support for all aspects of the energy account while the Property is supplied by OVO Energy. Spark will send the Tenant a welcome pack to explain more about the Tenant’s energy account shortly after the Tenant’s move in date. However, this will not prevent the Tenant from changing to a different energy provider if desired."

I guess your comment is meant to be a red flag alert?

I always thought agents had to make full disclosure if there was a commission or inducement involved

Gerry1

inspectorperez said:

Gerry1 said:

inspectorperez said:

Would you believe there is a standard clause dealing with utilities, which requires the tenant to register for dual fuel with Ovo Energy and then at their own discretion effect a change if desired at a later date.

Having spoken to the Landlord, this is not a requirement they have asked for and appears to have been inserted by the agent without client instruction. Needless to say, that clause is coming out!!

He's lucky it wasn't the dreaded Spark !  Sounds like an Unfair Contract to me, but IANAL.

I guess your comment is meant to be a red flag alert?

I always thought agents had to make full disclosure if there was a commission or inducement involved

Absolutely a red flag !  The rates and daily charges are likely to be astronomical, to pay for the bung. Instruct the agent to cancel the switch to Spark if it's still within the 14-day window.

macman

The bung was of course Spark's (aka The Landlord's Friend) particular speciality. It's depressing that Ovo have seen fit to continue this business model under their ownership.

inspectorperez

How depressing that property agents see fit to try and earn a few extra measly bucks in this underhand fashion!

Talldave

inspectorperez said:

How depressing that property agents see fit to try and earn a few extra measly bucks in this underhand fashion!

Fortunately you're now wise to it. Thousands of people must get screwed over in this way every year. Estate / Letting agents are about the lowest form of pond life you'll encounter. What's doubly frustrating is that they're usually incompetent as well. Before taking on our current rental I had to correct around a dozen fundamental errors in the tenancy agreement and argue the toss when they wanted the full deposit and first month's rent 5 weeks before commencement of tenancy (which was contrary to what was in the paperwork they'd provided).