Removing standard charge - how would you interpret this?

dn852k4

I'm moving into a new home soon and won't be using any gas until winter time. 
The house is currently supplied by SSE for both gas and electric. On their website I found this page https://sse.co.uk/help/bills-and-paying/removing-your-standing-charge
"You haven't expressly entered into an energy supply contract" is one of the eligibility criteria to have the standing charge removed.
How would you interpret that? Give my account name and bank details for the electric part of the account but tell them not to put my name on the gas supply? 

victor2

dn852k4 said:

I'm moving into a new home soon and won't be using any gas until winter time. 
The house is currently supplied by SSE for both gas and electric. On their website I found this page https://sse.co.uk/help/bills-and-paying/removing-your-standing-charge
"You haven't expressly entered into an energy supply contract" is one of the eligibility criteria to have the standing charge removed.
How would you interpret that? Give my account name and bank details for the electric part of the account but tell them not to put my name on the gas supply? 

If you are on their standard variable tariff and have only given them your details to get the account in your name and make payments, then I would say you haven't expressly entered into an energy supply contract.

So long as your gas reading does not change from the opening reading you gave them, that proves you have used no gas. I recall others on here saying they get the standing charge refunded so long as they haven't used anything. Once you start using gas, you will not get the standing charge refunded, even if you subsequently have months of zero usage. Would happily be proven wrong on that though!

MWT

victor2 said:

dn852k4 said:

I'm moving into a new home soon and won't be using any gas until winter time. 
The house is currently supplied by SSE for both gas and electric. On their website I found this page https://sse.co.uk/help/bills-and-paying/removing-your-standing-charge
"You haven't expressly entered into an energy supply contract" is one of the eligibility criteria to have the standing charge removed.
How would you interpret that? Give my account name and bank details for the electric part of the account but tell them not to put my name on the gas supply? 

If you are on their standard variable tariff and have only given them your details to get the account in your name and make payments, then I would say you haven't expressly entered into an energy supply contract.

No, that doesn't cut it...

It is very important that the discussion about the lack of need for gas happens before completing the account process as it needs to be while the new customer is still on a deemed contract, so it must be via a phone call, not done online.

Once you have given your details and set up the account you are no longer on a deemed contract, you have entered into a new contract.

MWT

dn852k4 said:

I'm moving into a new home soon and won't be using any gas until winter time. 

To make sure you get what you want, ask the landlord or previous owner to turn off any gas appliances and shut off gas supply at the meter when they take their final reading before you assume responsibility for the property.

Then phone SSE and be very clear that you only wish to set up an account for electricity at the moment as you will not be using any gas for a few months and have not used any gas since taking responsibility for the property.

Reference the website details you have found if you get any resistance...

Mobtr

You will still need to set up an account for gas as although you say you won’t be using any, you are still responsible for it. The link says you need to remain on a standard/deemed tariff & show no gas is used to get a refund. It also says it’s refunded after 1 year of using no gas. 

How will you be using no gas until winter? What about hot water or is that electric? 

pochase

I think the one year does not refer to the never had a contract. but to the case if you stop using gas.

dn852k4

Mobtr said:

You will still need to set up an account for gas as although you say you won’t be using any, you are still responsible for it. The link says you need to remain on a standard/deemed tariff & show no gas is used to get a refund. It also says it’s refunded after 1 year of using no gas. 

How will you be using no gas until winter? What about hot water or is that electric? 

It's all electric apart from the gas boiler for the central heating. 

GingerTim

This seems to be the key bit - are you really not going to use any gas for twelve months?

If we can see from the meter readings that you haven't used any gas and/or electricity for a year, and you're eligible, we'll refund any standing charge you've paid into your bank account or send you a cheque. Or we can credit your energy account if you'd prefer.

MWT

GingerTim said:

This seems to be the key bit - are you really not going to use any gas for twelve months?

If we can see from the meter readings that you haven't used any gas and/or electricity for a year, and you're eligible, we'll refund any standing charge you've paid into your bank account or send you a cheque. Or we can credit your energy account if you'd prefer.

They don't have to, as long as they don't start using gas then they are not in a deemed contract for the gas and they just make that intention clear when they contact the supplier.

The one year thing is for those already in a contract.

QrizB

GingerTim said:

This seems to be the key bit - are you really not going to use any gas for twelve months?
If we can see from the meter readings that you haven't used any gas and/or electricity for a year, and you're eligible, we'll refund any standing charge you've paid into your bank account or send you a cheque. Or we can credit your energy account if you'd prefer.

I guess if you start off on the right foot, then if you don't use any gas for a year you can claim it back.

If you don't start as though you're going to end up in that position, but do, you're stuck paying the SC regardless.

dn852k4

I need to set up a deemed account for gas and inform them that I won't be using any gas, should I mention it won't be needed until the winter or avoid any time scales?

Will I then have to input my meter readings monthly and request them to take off SC or will I be billed then they add a credit?

If for arguments sake I wanted to use gas from November 1st would I have to contact them to inform them that they need to start charging me a SC from that day?