New home owner - can energy provider force me to be on 1 year fixed tariff ?

Lily78_2

Hello, 

So today I have completed my house purchase and got the keys (yeah me ).

First thing I did was to duly take electricity and gas meter reading and take pictures. 

I am currently renting and plan on moving later this month; I am with a 'flexible' tariff (Oc.) so it seemed that would be the easiest thing as I could cancel or move my account to new place when I finally move to new home.

In the meantime, my understanding was I simply needed to contact the vendors 'current' provider (Sc.Po) on or soon after completion, and tell them I am taking over the house, armed with my readings, to ensure continuity in service.. I thought I would simply go on their standard tariff for now, so I could decide later what to do with my current provider (at my rental place). 
(we exchanged emails with vendors so I know who they are with; they even provided me with 'handy' link for 'moving home' 'not yet a customer' from Sc.P).
I figured it would be the best, as I would not be tied in any fixed tariff until I understand my consumption and we see what happens in April... (Martin has warned us and the message is clear -- stay put). 

When I got back home tonight, I followed the handy link for 'moving in' 'not yet a customer' provided. I wasn't asked much (address, type of house , number of bedroom, number of people) (-- a while back when moving to current rental, I was ask a lot more, incl appliances etc - seemed more accurate to make an estimate!).
Next screen, I see a list of tariffs - ALL fixed ! With eye sore monthly cost!!  (over 3x £ I am paying atm!!). I frankly thought I did select something wrong at first, so I went ''back" to start over, to be sure -- surely there should have been a 'standard' tariff option? No, apparently not... 
I back tracked, tried to find some info about how to just 'sign in' on standard tariff - no info whatsoever on SP website. I tried the usual suspects on here and comparison websites.. no luck.
That seemed very wrong -- surely energy suppliers cannot 'force' 'new customers' to only have a fixed tariff ? Esp. if it is not a 'choice' on my part to have to go with them to start with... 

I changed tac and searched on search website for 'info about Sc.P. standard tariffs 2022'. I did finally find a website providing info about providers incl standard tariffs and current 'rules'... And confirmation that apparently Sc.P. DO impose 'fixed tariffs to new customers... Is that even legal? 

I plan on calling new house provider (Sc.P) tomorrow, but I can't imagine they will actually advise me let alone let me join for a couple of weeks on standard.... And I cannot directly speak with someone at my otherwise great current provider for their advice on it ...  

I am at loss what to do... did I miss something? Can I actually directly tell Sc.P. (new house provider atm) that I am taking over the house and moving to a new provider right away, so they can't force me to anything? Can someone advise please 

As always thanks in advance for your opinions, etc

Verdigris

You can't transfer an account. You just have to start with the supplier the last occupant used, called the Deemed Supplier. If you haven't been told who this is, you can look it up, online, on the area's DNO (distribution network operator) website. The Deemed Supplier must put you on the SVT (standard variable tariff) which is the cheapest deal on off at the moment. Revise you oprions when the new cap price for April is announced in February.

BobT36

What I've seen on here is that a lot of the suppliers are limiting to fixed only when you sign up online. You apparently have to ring up and demand to be put on SVT, or mail in your readings / details. 

They're treading a legal grey area where they're "not forced to market" the SVT (even though they're legally obliged to let you on it) so they're removing the option from all their website. 

Lily78_2

Verdigris said:

You can't transfer an account. You just have to start with the supplier the last occupant used, called the Deemed Supplier. If you haven't been told who this is, you can look it up, online, on the area's DNO (distribution network operator) website. The Deemed Supplier must put you on the SVT (standard variable tariff) which is the cheapest deal on off at the moment. Revise you oprions when the new cap price for April is announced in February.

Oh thanks for this! So good to read I don't have to be forced on their fixed tariff 

Lily78_2

BobT36 said:

What I've seen on here is that a lot of the suppliers are limiting to fixed only when you sign up online. You apparently have to ring up and demand to be put on SVT, or mail in your readings / details. 

They're treading a legal grey area where they're "not forced to market" the SVT (even though they're legally obliged to let you on it) so they're removing the option from all their website. 

Thanks ever so much for this! What a relief. I was anyway going to call them tomorrow, but now I know they cannot pretend I have no choice/ 

Verdigris

What I've seen on here is that a lot of the suppliers are limiting to fixed only when you sign up online.

I recently signed up my new gaff to Eon Next, online, and was automatically put on the SVT. I don't think there was any other option offered, to try to trip me up. Other suppliers may vary, of course.

wakeupalarm

Is Sc.E from the same guy who has the list of America states as energy companies, South Carolina perhaps?

Lily78_2

Verdigris said:

What I've seen on here is that a lot of the suppliers are limiting to fixed only when you sign up online.

I recently signed up my new gaff to Eon Next, online, and was automatically put on the SVT. I don't think there was any other option offered, to try to trip me up. Other suppliers may vary, of course.

Good to know; one example for my conversation tomorrow 

Lily78_2

wakeupalarm said:

Is Sc.E from the same guy who has the list of America states as energy companies, South Carolina perhaps?

wakeupalarm said:

Is Sc.E from the same guy who has the list of America states as energy companies, South Carolina perhaps?

Scottish Power - that is who is the current supplier in my new house...(I realise I put 'E' for energy instead of 'P') ...  no idea whether that's from the same guy 

Gerry1

Lily78_2 said:

When I got back home tonight, I followed the handy link for 'moving in' 'not yet a customer' provided. I wasn't asked much (address, type of house , number of bedroom, number of people) (-- a while back when moving to current rental, I was ask a lot more, incl appliances etc - seemed more accurate to make an estimate!).

Beware of sites that help you get set up.  You may find you get monetised with uncompetitive deals.

SP don't exactly have a wonderful reputation.  Always better to do it yourself and fully understand what's going on.  You'll have your own interests at heart, they will see just you as a profit source to be targeted.

jbuchanangb

When you call them, ask to be put on the Standard Variable Tariff, with payment on receipt of bill. That's what I did with Scottish Power when I moved into my house supplied by them 3 years ago. Decline any fixed rate tariffs, or fixed monthly direct debits. Explain that until you have moved in and understood what you energy consumption is working out to be, this is the best arrangement for you.