Can’t move energy account to new house

JMC1984

Have just been told as I’m on the variable tariff for energy that I can’t move my account to a new house.
Energy provider needs to close account at existing property, refund all credit then open a brand new account at the new address?!

Surely they can just move my account to the new address?!!!

[Deleted User]

The account is for the house (or more accurately the meter) not for the occupant.

That's just how it works.  It's not because you're on the variable tariff.

The new house already has a supplier that you will need to start an account with before you even think about switching.

Some suppliers used to be able to do the close-open thing in the background if they were already supplying both houses, but some never did.

Robin9

JMC1984 said:

Have just been told as I’m on the variable tariff for energy that I can’t move my account to a new house.
Energy provider needs to close account at existing property, refund all credit then open a brand new account at the new address?!

Surely they can just move my account to the new address?!!!

Nothing to do with the tariff you are on. The account is associated with the property not yourself

The process is that you contact the existing supplier at your new house, give them , meter reads and agree consumption and tariffs. You are then free to move.

At your old house ring the supplier and give them meter and you will get a final bill 

LindsayT

The account with your energy provider is not for you personally, it's for the address.
When you move, you automatically become a customer of whoever provides energy at the new address.
You can try and move to your old supplier afterwards if they are willing to accept it.

jj_43

The reasons given are not quite right. They are technicalities that don’t matter to the customer. The only reason is thats how the energy suppliers decide you operate your account. That’s all.

itsoliversdad

I was able to move my account to the property I was moving into as it was the same supplier. I checked online and was able to check who my new property’s supplier was. I cannot recall the site which told me but googled ‘check who supplies my energy’  and put my address in.
I believe if your new home has a different supplier to your current one the you’re stuck with the to begin with.
I managed my fixed rate, had to do it by phone the website would not let me. This was with British Gas I don’t know if other companies don’t know if others do this.

Ultrasonic

Do you know who the supplier is at the new property? Unless it's a company you feel you want to avoid for some reason you aren't really losing anything by having to change suppliers if you're already on the SVR anyway.