Rental electricity supplier

martin_j

We were renting a property from Scottish canals during the summer and changed the electricity supplier to Octopus from Opus who were only for businesses. We advised Octopus that we would be moving out on the 15th of November but were shocked to learn that Scottish canals changed provider to EDF on the 15th of September without any notification. They now say we owe them money for electricity bill and hope to get a costing by the new year. Can they legally change this to a provider of their choice without notification to us?

Gerry1

Wrong forum - this backwater is for LPG, Heating Oil, Solid & Other Fuels.  Try Energy.

QrizB

martin_j said:

They now say we owe them money for electricity bill ...

Who are "they" - Octopus, EDF, Scottish Canals?

What did your tenancy agreement say regarding utilities?

martin_j

Who are "they" - Octopus, EDF, Scottish Canals?

They are Scottish Canals and the rental agreement states that we are responsible for electricity Bill's and can change provider as long as we notify them, which we did.

Reed_Richards

Does the rental agreement say if Scottish Canals can change the provider?  And if so are they required to give you notice?  Does the change actually make a difference to the total amount you have to pay for your electricity?   

Ectophile

No, they can't.

Decide if it's actually worth fighting. If it is, then tell Octopus that it was an unauthorized transfer, and ask them to reverse it. But given that you're already moved out, then this isn't going to be quick or easy.

martin_j

Reed_Richards said:

Does the rental agreement say if Scottish Canals can change the provider?  And if so are they required to give you notice?  Does the change actually make a difference to the total amount you have to pay for your electricity?   

The agreement does not say they can change the provider, it only says we can change provider and give notification, which we did at the start of the agreement. The new provider has a business contract which will be more expensive.

QrizB

I think Ectophile has given you the answer. Your landlord is not permitted to change your electricity supplier.

Ofgem has a page on this:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/tenants-energy-rights-explained

Reed_Richards

Do you have a final meter reading?  In your position I would work out how much you would have paid had you remained with Octopus and offer that amount of money to Scottish Canals as a full and final settlement of the electricity charges.  And perhaps also direct them to the page referenced by @QrizB where it states that the Landlord should not prevent a tenant from choosing their own supplier.  

northwalesd

Was the supply (with Octopus) in your name, and if so did you not get a 'Sorry to see you leave' notification (letter or email) when the supply was switched to EDF in September? How did you provide final readings to Octopus as your, to the best of your knowledge, supplier at that point in time?

If it was me, I'd take the position described by Reed_Richards.

MWT

martin_j said:

We were renting a property from Scottish canals during the summer and changed the electricity supplier to Octopus from Opus who were only for businesses.

Are you certain that the switch went through correctly?

Business contracts usually have quite lengthy notice periods and high termination penalties and it isn't easy to get a meter registered for business converted to domestic.

Might be worth asking the DNO for the recent history of suppliers on that meter. (assuming they will still give you that now you no longer occuply the premises).