Just moved and only offered a fixed tariff, is this right?

2522laura

Hi all,

I have just moved home and the previous occupier was with octopus energy on a flexible tariff. We've had a letter from octopus but they are only offering us a very expensive fixed tariff!! Can they do that? And are there any energy suppliers left that will offer home movers a flexible tariff as I'm struggle to find info on comparison sites. I can't afford £500 a month 😫 

tightauldgit

What do you get offered when you go to Octopus' website and put in your postcode to see what tariffs they offer?

https://octopus.energy/tariffs/

victor2

2522laura said:

Hi all,

I have just moved home and the previous occupier was with octopus energy on a flexible tariff. We've had a letter from octopus but they are only offering us a very expensive fixed tariff!! Can they do that? And are there any energy suppliers left that will offer home movers a flexible tariff as I'm struggle to find info on comparison sites. I can't afford £500 a month 😫 

You should automatically be on their standard tariff. Of course they would like you to take a more expensive fixed rate tariff!

If you already have an online account with them, that will tell you what tariff you are on. Get an account set up if you haven't already, but confirm with them that you will be on their standard tariff. That will inevitably go up next October by an unknown, but significant, amount, but unless you can get a long term fix at a reasonable rate, with no (or small) exit penalty, there is little benefit of going with one right now.

2522laura

Fixed only. They sent us a letter with a code that we put in and they aren't offering us any flexible tariffs 

2522laura

Thanks everyone. Will call them as the only option they are giving online is the fixed one

Gerry1

Make sure you send them the meter readings(s) on the date you took possession.

Don't rely on any meter readings taken by others or you may find yourself paying for usage by the previous occupant or when the property was empty.

Cardew

When you move into a house you are automatically placed on a 'deemed tariff' until you either transfer to another tariff with the same company or move to another company.

In your case the 'deemed tariff'  is the standard tariff with charges laid down by the Energy Cap. You don't even have to ask them - simply refuse their offer of a fixed tariff.

jimjames

Cardew said:

In your case the 'deemed tariff'  is the standard tariff with charges laid down by the Energy Cap. You don't even have to ask them - simply refuse their offer of a fixed tariff.

For those that know it's easy but the online service gives no indication there is any option other than fixed rate so most people wouldn't know there was an option to refuse.

I've just moved and have gone to SSE website to register. The only tariffs available are 2 fixed rates. This is so misleading and designed to trap the unwary. I'm aware of what I want but so many people will think that these are the only 2 options available to them and no cost is shown for what the price cap would be. 

OFGEM really need to get a grip on this to stop people being ripped off.

Mstty

2522laura said:

Hi all,

I have just moved home and the previous occupier was with octopus energy on a flexible tariff. We've had a letter from octopus but they are only offering us a very expensive fixed tariff!! Can they do that? And are there any energy suppliers left that will offer home movers a flexible tariff as I'm struggle to find info on comparison sites. I can't afford £500 a month 😫 

£500 a month!!!!! 8 bedroom Georgian home with no insulation 🤣🤣🤣

As others have said call then directly but also challenge the kWh usage for the house. Out of interest what house is it, age, bedrooms and the heating gas and elec etc?

Gerry1

jimjames said:

Cardew said:

In your case the 'deemed tariff'  is the standard tariff with charges laid down by the Energy Cap. You don't even have to ask them - simply refuse their offer of a fixed tariff.

OFGEM really need to get a grip on this to stop people being ripped off.

That'll be the day...  energy customers aren't on Ofgem's radar.