How do I move from a commercial gas and electricity provider when I'm a domestic customer?

Sponz

Hi, 

I've recently moved into what was a former care home run by a charity.  It's classed as a residential property with council tax however, the gas and electric is with commercial suppliers.  Has anyone got any experience on how to handle this?  I've called the commercial suppliers and given them all the info as in date we moved, meter read etc but I'm unsure as to next steps and how I move onto a domestic tariff.  The customer services people just said I need to find a domestic supplier but the problem is the switching websites are not recognising my address as a domestic address.   I can't find anything online that would help me switch.  Does anyone have any tips or pointers of who else to contact?

GingerTim

I think you may have to actually call one of the domestic suppliers. Octopus and EDF seem to be the only ones taking on new customers on the standard variable tariff, and you may have to try them more than once.

JohnPo

It depends on whether the current supplier has a 'domestic' side to their business or is a commercial customer only supplier.  I had an issue 9 months ago where a property I am responsible for was incorrectly classed as commercial by a previous supplier and it was only when the supplier went bust and I ended with with EON Next that it was sorted.  EON Next commercial side put me on extortionate tariff but were helpful once I provided a copy of the council tax bill and got me transferred to EON Next retail, new account number and online login and the bill was reconstructed back to the SOLR transfer date.

If stuck with commercial only supplier, then a switch to a new supplier who is currently taking customers, others have said EDF or Octopus - and you will need to do it by phone and also be persistent about asking for standard price cap SVT.

Sponz

Thanks both.  I've checked with the commercial suppliers and they have no domestic arm so it I'll be on the phone to somebody who will take me.

pochase

Make sure that you explain that you are not a commercial property immediately. Otherwise they might just tell you no.

EMJ_85

Let me know how you get on.  Having the exact same issue with SSE Business and SSE Residential and SSE OVO being far from helpful in terms of switching me over to a domestic SVT.