Business Energy Company refusing to renew with signed contract

Jaycbee

Hello 
Back in February with 1 year to go on my 5 year Gas and Electricity contracts with BES Utilities we signed a new 3 year fixed rate deal for both (2 separate contracts) to start with renewal in February 2023.  Both contracts were signed my both parties.   I have not looked for any other contracts this year based on the fact I had this fixed rate deal beginning in Feb 23 when my current contracts expire.    BES have this week informed me they are not honouring the contracts and will not be renewing the contract and I will just fall to their standard rates in Feb 23 (business price cap will shield me for a couple of months until April).    Can this do this - I was going to take the contracts to the Citizens advice -  In some ways I feel I have been missold at the very least as these contracts have stopped me looking for other contracts when my existing ones expire.   

Jaycbee

Sorry just to add obviously the fixed rates we agreed were very favourable to what is available out there now to our business.   Looks like that is the reason they are refusing to renew as they dont want to honour the fixed rates we agreed.  

[Deleted User]

There’s probably a clause in the contract that says they are allowed to do it - it’s not unusual to have a break clause like that. Did you read it all then, or do you have a copy you can look through now?

Jaycbee

Actually nothing in it at all from their point of view - all about the client cannot break the contract nothing about the supplier breaking out or leaving early so thats that.   Lesson to self.   

ariarnia

if the contract doesn't say they can break the contract then it might be worth having someone look them over. do any of your insurances (home or business) include legal advice? given the amounts involved it might even be worth paying for an hour for someone to have a look at them and give you a proper idea of your chances. if they can't legally break the contract then they might be liable for the difference between their rates and what you end up having to pay (i think that's called specific performance or is that just with houses?).