Trying to switch suppliers...

kimcatiko

I need some help.

We were renting our property out for a year whilst working in Birmingham. Whilst in Birmingham, I was on Octopus Energy. When it came time to return, I wanted to stay with this company, however an objection was raised on the gas side of things, which turned out to be related to a debt the tenants owed.

Bulb, which was the tenants supplier, keeps telling me one thing and then something different. They have told me the objection has been removed, however Octopus still can't make the switch. Octopus have also got it on their systems that they are supplying my electricity, but it says Bulb on the national database. 

I am now being charged by both companies and neither of them seems to know what is going on.

I need some help on this!

pochase

Did you follow the correct steps when moving into a new property? I know it is your own property and you are just returning, but you still need to follow the rules.

1. take meter readings (including photos)
2. contact the current supplier with your readings and open an account
3. after 21 day switch your energy to the supplier you want to use

The above steps will ensure that old debts of previous occupants will not be held against you.

kimcatiko

pochase said:

Did you follow the correct steps when moving into a new property? I know it is your own property and you are just returning, but you still need to follow the rules.

1. take meter readings (including photos)
2. contact the current supplier with your readings and open an account
3. after 21 day switch your energy to the supplier you want to use

The above steps will ensure that old debts of previous occupants will not be held against you.

Hi, yes I followed these steps and an objection was raised. I've been told by Bulb they have removed this objection on the 25th April, but Octopus is still having the switch rejected.

pochase

Sounds really complicated. 

You can only really raise a complaint with your supplier, which is Bulb, who seem to have created the problem in the first place.

Octopus is not your supplier, so you cannot complaint to them, at the moment they are just "refusing" to take you as a customer.

Regarding electricity, I assume you have accounts with both Bulb and Octopus. Is the Bulb account closed for electricity and the Octopus one active?

Gerry1

kimcatiko said:

pochase said:

Did you follow the correct steps when moving into a new property? I know it is your own property and you are just returning, but you still need to follow the rules.

1. take meter readings (including photos)
2. contact the current supplier with your readings and open an account
3. after 21 day switch your energy to the supplier you want to use

The above steps will ensure that old debts of previous occupants will not be held against you.

Hi, yes I followed these steps and an objection was raised. I've been told by Bulb they have removed this objection on the 25th April, but Octopus is still having the switch rejected.

I think there's a lockout period (possibly 28 days or so) after a switch (or attempted switch), so try again towards the end of May and you'll probably succeed.

kimcatiko

pochase said:

Sounds really complicated. 

You can only really raise a complaint with your supplier, which is Bulb, who seem to have created the problem in the first place.

Octopus is not your supplier, so you cannot complaint to them, at the moment they are just "refusing" to take you as a customer.

Regarding electricity, I assume you have accounts with both Bulb and Octopus. Is the Bulb account closed for electricity and the Octopus one active?

No, Bulb is active for both electricity and gas. I'm thinking I will have to get Octopus to close my account, and attempt to switch at a later date.

I'm just hoping Octopus will refund me the money I've paid for April, and will close the account.