Sainsbury's Energy - refusing to transfer tariff to new address

Huisie

I currently have a Sainsbury's Energy Fixed Tariff (1 Year Fix and Reward v19) due to expire 25/09/2022. Lucky break, I signed up just before things went really pear-shaped.

However, my landlord has given me Section 21 notice, as she wants to move back in.

I have found a new rented property and requested Sainsbury's Energy transfer my tariff to my new address.  From their website, it appears to indicate that this would be an easy process, part of why I selected them.

However, when I made my request by phone beginning of last week, their representative advised me to contact them closer to the time.

So, I contacted them Monday of this week.  Before doing so, I checked my account online and was surprised to see that my tariff was due to end 16 March at my current address. 

My tenancy ends 17 March and why tell me to call back then stop my contract without notifying me?

I was unable to get through to Sainsbury's Energy on the phone Monday though I called twice - I waited over 20 minutes each time, but no answer, not even a "your call is important to us" voiceover.

I emailed them at hi@sainsburysenergy.com (link on website) and received a response a few hours later. 

They said they couldn't transfer my tariff to my new address as it is currently supplied by E-On Next, the company Sainsbury's actually gets their energy from.

I questioned this but got no response, so contacted Citizens Advice, who quickly got me through to Sainsbury's Energy's complaints department.

The gentleman I spoke to there said he couldn't find my tariff on the system (but could view my account and see it) so was unable to do the transfer.

He did email me an account number for my supply (via Sainsbury's Energy) at the new property and advised I contact Sainsbury's Energy and ask them to transfer my tariff.

I don't understand why I was instructed to contact sainsbury's Energy to transfer my tariff when I was speaking to him at the time, but hey-ho.

I have contacted Sainsbury's Energy via hi@sainsburysenergy.com and asked them to take over supply at my new property and transfer my tariff but am not hopeful it will go smoothly.

Is it permissible for an energy supplier to refuse to transfer tariff to a new address, please?  I have looked extensively online but can't find a definitive answer.

Most guides are about switching energy supplier.  Those that advise about moving home don't contain advice about transferring an existing tariff to a new address.

This is a new one on me - I've never had trouble transferring an existing tariff to a new address before.  I'm hoping wiser heads can advise me.  Thank you in advance.

EssexHebridean

You have, initially on moving into a new property, to register with the existing supplier - as soon as you move in and turn on a light, or switch on the heating, you become their customer. After that you are free to switch to wherever you like, but I'm afraid it's highly unlikely that a supplier will let you "port" a fix - particularly at the moment. 

Aylesbury_Duck

As I understand it, you have a contract to supply energy to an address, rather than to you personally, so unless there's a contractual promise to transfer contracts between addresses, they are under no obligation to port your tariff over.

MWT

Huisie said:

Is it permissible for an energy supplier to refuse to transfer tariff to a new address, please?  I have looked extensively online but can't find a definitive answer.

Yes, they have no obligation to transfer your existing tariff to a new address.

Some have been willing to do that in the past as a method of customer retention, but there is little incentive to do that now, espeically if you have a 'cheap' fix.

bagand96

Your energy supply contract (tariff) is for your current address.   You are breaking the contract by moving. There is no regulation/law that means an energy provider has to let you take a tariff with you. 

Some providers have in the past let people take tariffs with them, or agreed to waive early termination charges if the customer switches back to them after moving house.  In the current market it's very unlikely especially if you're on a cheap fix that might be loss making for them.  You can keep trying with Sainsbury's Energy but nothing you can do to force them unfortunately.

As @EssexHebridean says you are on a deemed contract with the existing supplier from the moment you become responsible for the property so will need to register your details with them and give them meter readings.  You should be placed on the Standard Variable tariff which will be at the Ofgem price cap.