Should I stay with the energy provider who is currently providing for my new rented property?

amelialandon

I am very confused and quite overwhelmed as to what to do. I have just moved into a new rented property which is supplied by Octopus energy, with my previous rented property I was using Bulb energy and I am unsure whether to sign up with Bulb again for the new flat or stay with Octopus who are currently providing the property. Both current standing charges are much of a muchness at the moment (Octopus are cheaper overall currently as they can base our first bill on the usage of the previous tenants whereas Bulb would be basing on it being a 1 bedroom flat). I am reading everywhere that the advice is not to switch provider but does that mean I should stay with the energy company I have been using or stay with the provider who is currently supplying the property? For context, we will be doing a monthly direct debit set payment. Please help! 

[Deleted User]

There are not many companies who will let you switch to them at the moment (at any sort of sensible price).

Stick with Octopus.

pochase

As only EDF and Octopus might let you join when you call them, and you are already with Octopus there is not much choice for you.

Stick with Octopus or try to get onto EDF. 

The SVT rates will be identical anyway.

QrizB

pochase said:

The SVT rates will be identical anyway.

This is the important part. The standard variable tariff is essentially identical with Octopus, Bulb, EDF and all the other suppliers. It doesn't really matter which one you go with.

Robin9

amelialandon said:

I.................but does that mean I should stay with the energy company I have been using or stay with the provider who is currently supplying the property? For context, we will be doing a monthly direct debit set payment. Please help! 

You really don't have this choice. You MUST contact the supplier of the property and give them readings and become their customer. Only then do you have an option.

The_Green_Hornet

QrizB said:

pochase said:

The SVT rates will be identical anyway.

This is the important part. The standard variable tariff is essentially identical with Octopus, Bulb, EDF and all the other suppliers. It doesn't really matter which one you go with.

Except one company may offer better customer service than the others which may be an important factor for some.

In an ideal world Ofgem should force suppliers to allow customers to switch on the SVT so as to get at least some competition back in the market (this is of course assuming that suppliers are making a profit on SVT).

Alnat1

Bulb are in administration and only offer SVT, no alternative tariffs. The company is "for sale" and last I heard only Octopus have offered to take over.

Octopus have generally fairly good customer service, easy to contact by phone, email, twitter etc. They are fitting smart meters in certain areas and offer several alternative tariffs that might suit. Downside, their standard fixes aren't usually very competitive.

Stick with them and you'll be fine. 

amelialandon

Thanks all! I have had to set an account up with Octopus anyway so as to pay whatever energy we use for the remainder of the month so I just need to decide whether to stick with them or go back to bulb but sounds like it is all going to be much the same anyway. Thank you for your comments! 

QrizB

As far as I'm aware Bulb aren't taking on new customers so going back to Bulb won't be possible even if you want to.

macman

What would the point be of switching to a company that is in administration? Especially as Octopus are the only likely buyers?