Bought my first home - electricity options

Mlasso

Hello,

I bought my first home and moved in yesterday. I still do not know who is electricity supplier.

My question is do I have to chose a contract now (and lose price cap protection if starting a new contract) or I can continue using previous supplier (by just sending my details and not choosing any co tract length) and therefore get price cap protection?

What should I do?

Thanks!

Reed_Richards

When you first move in you have no option but to continue with the previous supplier on their standard tariff.  You can then look to switch suppliers but that could be difficult at present (or you could switch tariff with the incumbent supplier).  Take a meter reading now if you did not do so yesterday and give this and your details to the supplier when you find out which one it is. 

Alnat1

You can google "who is my energy supplier" and put your address in with any of the resulting sites.

TimSynths

Congratulations on buying your first home!

jbuchanangb

If you have gas, do the same for gas. For water/sewerage you haven't got a choice. Everyone in your street has the same supplier(s). There should be something in the paperwork from your solicitors giving a clue. In some areas, water and sewerage are handled in one bill by one provider, in others, you deal with one provider for water and someone else for sewerage. Contact your borough or district council to enrol for Council Tax. Electoral Roll can be done online.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

oh, and if you are sole occupier you can get 25% Council Tax discount.

Gerry1

Sounds like your solicitors / estate agent haven't done a very good job.  Always read meters yourself, don't let anyone do it for you otherwise you could be paying for usage by someone else or during a void period.

Don't forget the water meter, if there is one.

Find My Electricity Supplier (two stage process, find your DNO then their website will tell you)

Mlasso

Thanks for responses!

For some reason my postcode is showing as not recognised. It is fine, I will just wait for my first invoice. I spoke with previous tenant, he said that provider is EON. 

Just to confirm, if I just wait, regardless of who my supplier is, I will be protected by the price cap?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

sometimes postcodes are case sensitive.

Yes you will be, best to stick to that, unless you decide on a fix.

jbuchanangb

Don't just wait for first invoice. Read the meter(s) and call the supplier (E.ON) to open your account. Phone them. Say you want to stay on the standard rate. Once the account is open, read the meter(s) again afte one month and inform the supplier. Start as you mean to go on, and stay in control. If you "wait for the first invoice" and do not provide meter readings, the invoice will be an estimate and could be anything from too little to too much.

t0rt0ise

You must contact Eon with an opening read or you may end up paying for the previous occupier's electricity if they didn't give the correct final reading.