MSE News: Energy bill hikes hit millions as price cap rises by an average £139/yr

tghe-retford

stuart4703 said:

Is my supplier (Ovo) within their rights to increase my tariff if I am on a FIXED tariff  ("Better Smart"), which they have informed me that the intend to do  ?  My contract clearly states that my price is guaranteed until May 2022, but when I challenged Ovo they have told me that it's within their rights to change their price.  I've scoured their terms and conditions, and whilst there clauses "guaranteeing" my price, there are other clauses that seem to be a get-out-of-jail-free card meaning they can do what they like.

My fix clearly isn't worth anything if it's not fixed.

I'd mirror the others by suggesting you post (sans any personal or identifiable information) what you were told by Ovo. I warned (and was dismissed) that companies would be consulting their lawyers to see if they could find any way to increase the tariffs of people on existing fixed tariffs to get around contract law knowing that existing fixed contracts would be significantly loss making and need to be ditched early. I know of a number of people who've had their Direct Debits increased despite being in substantial credit but this is a worrying development and confirms what I feared energy companies would try - if true.

Cardew

stuart4703 said:

Is my supplier (Ovo) within their rights to increase my tariff if I am on a FIXED tariff  ("Better Smart"), which they have informed me that the intend to do  ?  My contract clearly states that my price is guaranteed until May 2022, but when I challenged Ovo they have told me that it's within their rights to change their price.  I've scoured their terms and conditions, and whilst there clauses "guaranteeing" my price, there are other clauses that seem to be a get-out-of-jail-free card meaning they can do what they like.

My fix clearly isn't worth anything if it's not fixed.

Well I am with Ovo on their 'Better Smart' fixed tariff and there has been no indication of any price increase. and this is their terms and conditions.

https://www.ovoenergy.com/terms/2020

Are you sure, as asked above, that they are only increasing  your Direct Debit, and not unit prices? This from the T & C's

'Getting a fixed rate energy plan doesn’t mean you’ll pay a fixed amount per month.

Your actual monthly charges can still change (for instance, you’ll probably use more energy over winter than you will in summer, so your energy use goes up and down). It’s helpful to think of unit rates like the price you pay for petrol. Even when the cost per litre stays the same, the amount of fuel you buy each time might change. '

Cardew

I'd mirror the others by suggesting you post (sans any personal or identifiable information) what you were told by Ovo. I warned (and was dismissed) that companies would be consulting their lawyers to see if they could find any way to increase the tariffs of people on existing fixed tariffs to get around contract law knowing that existing fixed contracts would be significantly loss making and need to be ditched early. I know of a number of people who've had their Direct Debits increased despite being in substantial credit but this is a worrying development and confirms what I feared energy companies would try - if true.

As said above I am with OVO on their fixed Better Start tariff.

I have just had my very detailed on-line account. It states that ' Your monthly Direct Debit is £128.00.

We think you’re paying the right amount for your energy use and costs'.

It allows me to vary my DD payment on-line. Out of interest I checked and it states:

'£125 is your minimum payment for keeping your balance on track'.

It even allows me to drop payment to £113 for 3 months if I am suffering hardship and then they will recalculate DD. I might take them up on that offer as my butler, head footman and children's nanny have all asked to be paid the national minimum wage - ungrateful *****

So it seems OVO are 'playing fair'.

stuart4703

I've figured it out and it transpires that my prices are not rising after all - the letter I received from Ovo a fortnight ago relates to an account that I (theoretically) closed back in 2017 just as I was rolling off from a fixed tariff to their variable tariff.    Looking at my existing account in the Ovo portal, my prices remain as per the fix that I agreed.  I will obviously be checking my next billl very closely.

I now just need to figure out why that old account still appears to be 'open' but not accruing any charges (yet shows a positive balance) . 

Thanks to everyone for chipping in on this.

lymar

Hi my fixed on line tariff with Scottish Power it comes to a end in December do I chose another fixed online tariff or just let them move me to standard tariff when my fixed tariff ends ? 

worrywart_3

lymar said:

Hi my fixed on line tariff with Scottish Power it comes to a end in December do I chose another fixed online tariff or just let them move me to standard tariff when my fixed tariff ends ? 

Advice is to go in standard 

PennineAcute

So SVTs are capped and non-SVTs are not capped.  Therefore, to my understanding - and in the current climate, current non-SVTs are supposed to reflect the true current market price.

After being moved from Symbio to EON Next and their SVT, my rates are 20.14p UP and 24.382p SC.  Giving me a total 12-month usage cost of £566.82 for a mean 6.5 kWh per day.

EON Next's current cheapest 18-month no exit-fee fixed tariff is 21.86p UP and 38.08p SC at a cost of £657.62 for the same usage as above.  A £90.80 increase.

I can see electricity SVTs going up by more than £90.80 come April, if what is said either on here or elsewhere comes true.  I have decided to take the gamble and have signed up for this tariff.  If it does not pay off, at least I will not have to pay a "rub salt into the wound" exit fee.