Renewing fixed contract with 49 days left with old supplier?

jazzy

My fixed electricity only contract is coming up for renewal in 49 days time and I have been notified by my supplier Green about taking out a new contract. However, when I contacted them to arrange a new contract they said that they couldn't forward the date of a new contract for 49 days time if I kept my old contact in force there would be new rates when my old contract expirers. There is a significant rise of price from my old contract to the new contract so I am reluctant to change too early.

I am sure that when I changed suppliers previously I was allowed to take out a new contract beforehand and to commence on the date that the old supplier contract expirers. Is this correct because I have found another supplier with slightly cheaper prices than Green? or is there a number of days that I must wait before arranging a new supplier?

Neil_Jones

No, the 49 day thing means you can move away when there are 49 days or less to go on your fixed tariff without exit fees being applied.  You can't specify when a new provider will take over but the average is four to six weeks.

Energy prices have gone up recently and if you took a 12 month deal out last year everything this time round is more expensive.  You probably will not get anywhere near what you had last time unfortunately.

You may be able to switch through the provider's web portal to a new tariff that will take effect when your existing one ends.  If you do nothing and go onto standard tariff it will probably cost more than the tariffs you can find now.

molerat

Renewed my gas contract with Zog on 13th December starting on 1st February at a slightly increased rate.  Shows it can be done if the supplier is willing.

btr30

My People’s Energy tariff was due to expire on 6th January, and new offer was considerably more expensive.
I did price comparisons and realised that I was looking at increased, with whatever supplier I would choose.
My strategy was to delay switch to closer to the end of contract, and initiated switch on 16th December.
New suppliers picked up supplies with start dates of 30th and 31st December, so switch only took 2 weeks.

dogshome

Some suppliers allow you to choose to go onto their new contract immediately or wait till the old contract expires - there is no 'rule' up too them

However, if you start your Switch, say 10 days before your current tariff expires it will not be completed at your tariffs end, but the old supplier has to charge your current rates until it is completed..

MWT

jazzy said:

My fixed electricity only contract is coming up for renewal in 49 days time and I have been notified by my supplier Green about taking out a new contract. However, when I contacted them to arrange a new contract they said that they couldn't forward the date of a new contract for 49 days time if I kept my old contact in force there would be new rates when my old contract expirers.

This isn't unusual, if you want the new fix you will have to take it now and it will go into effect immediately, or roll the dice and see what is available closer to the end of your current fix.

They are not required to let you pick a new fix now but not lose the old fix until the end of the contract.