Is this even legal?

lynda824

Hi, I am moving into a rental property in a couple of weeks, which currently is supplied by E.on.  I am moving from abroad, so don’t have a current supplier myself.  When I phoned E.on, they said as a new customer, I couldn’t be put on the standard variable tariff (e.on next flex), which would have been £180 a month. Instead they said the only tarif I could sign up for is a 1 year fixed at £310 a month!  I thought that as the supplier to the house, they had to give you the option to go on a standard variable?  Are they trying it on?  Should I wait until we actually move in, then on the day, phone them with the meter reading and demand to be put on the standard variable rate? It would be good to know my rights before I tackle them,  Thankyou all.

MattMattMattUK

lynda824 said:

Hi, I am moving into a rental property in a couple of weeks, which currently is supplied by E.on.  I am moving from abroad, so don’t have a current supplier myself.  When I phoned E.on, they said as a new customer, I couldn’t be put on the standard variable tariff (e.on next flex), which would have been £180 a month. Instead they said the only tarif I could sign up for is a 1 year fixed at £310 a month!  I thought that as the supplier to the house, they had to give you the option to go on a standard variable?  Are they trying it on?  Should I wait until we actually move in, then on the day, phone them with the meter reading and demand to be put on the standard variable rate? It would be good to know my rights before I tackle them,  Thankyou all.

You do not need to make "demands" or "tackle them", they are offering you a fixed tariff which they are allowed to do. Once you move in you are on a "deemed tariff" which will be the SVR, you confirm the meter reads and agree to pay, that is it. The monthly amount is largely irrelevant as it is just paying into a pot against future bills, the amount that matters is the unit rate, but again, that will be SVR so not anything you can do about it. 

lynda824

thanks for the information.  I am so glad I posted here, as I had phoned every one of the big 6 providers and none of them would even take on a new customer.  I will just wait until the day of the move to arrange it.  

jbuchanangb

You have understood correctly. When you move in read the meters and take photos. Don't take anyone else's word for the readings. Then call EON and open an account. Request that they put you on their Standard Variable Tariff. This is also known as the deemed tariff. They are obliged to provide this tariff to someone who takes over an existing supply. They are preconditioned to tell people that they should have a fixed rate tariff, and indeed this is what they will offer to new customers asking to switch from another provider.  

MWT

jbuchanangb said:

Request that they put you on their Standard Variable Tariff. This is also known as the deemed tariff. They are obliged to provide this tariff to someone who takes over an existing supply.

Just to help the flow of the phone call, it isn't a request to be put on the SVT, someone moving in is already on that tariff with the existing supplier, it is about not agreeing to be moved from that to a fixed tariff.
It can push the wrong buttons to use words like 'new customer' or ask to be put on the SVT.

Verdigris

My advice is don't call anyone.

Just go on to the E.on Next website and register your opening read there. You will automatically be on the SVT and nobody will have the chance to try to sell you an unsuitable fix. I've recently done this with a new property and it all went perfectly smoothly with no human intervention.

Do photograph the meter, as suggested above, in case of dispute. It is not unknown for previous tenants to under-read to try to pass their debt on to the next person.l

MWT

Verdigris said:

My advice is don't call anyone.

Just go on to the E.on Next website and register your opening read there. You will automatically be on the SVT and nobody will have the chance to try to sell you an unsuitable fix. I've recently done this with a new property and it all went perfectly smoothly with no human intervention.

That is encouraging, most suppliers do not allow that as an option when signing up online, they only allow selecting a fix, so if that works for E.ON then it is definitely the way to go.

PRAISETHESUN

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/help-and-support/moving-home/moving

Just select the applicable boxes to indicate you are moving into a property they already supply. As above, don't call unless you have to - it's just an opportunity for them to upsell you onto a more expensive fixed tariff. Keep photos of your meter readings in case it's ever questioned.

lynda824

Thankyou for your sage advice everyone.  Onwards and upwards as they say 😊

EssexHebridean

If you do have to call them again, and in spite of being clear about your situation they STILL try to tell you that you "have" to take a fix, remind them that Ofgem very distinctly says that you don't, reiterate your position (just moved in, property already on supply with Eon) and ask them if they'd like to reconsider their stance on the matter of having to take a fix, or whether you need to escalate it to a formal complaint. I suspect their position will change pretty fast when they realise you're confident of your ground.