New occupier. SVT or Dual Rate?

badger09

Family member completed house purchase 15 Dec. Registered with current suppliers British Gas (gas) & EonNext (electricity) & submitted opening readings. 

Submitted readings 19 Jan. BG bill received ok. Waiting for EonNext bill.

He’s only recently moved in properly so no real idea of usage yet. 

Previous owner was on Economy 7. No idea why as house has gas CH. He submitted dual readings so I assume he will be billed for dual rate?

Obviously needs to get onto SVT asap. Can someone please confirm EoNNext must let him move to SVT if requested?

Hoping to persuade him to switch to Octopus (£50 each & I’m very happy with them)
Is switch easier if on SVT or just switch.?

Final question - does anyone know if he can use referral link to switch online or does he have to phone?

Thanks 
 

MattMattMattUK

badger09 said:

Family member completed house purchase 15 Dec. Registered with current suppliers British Gas (gas) & EonNext (electricity) & submitted opening readings. 

Submitted readings 19 Jan. BG bill received ok. Waiting for EonNext bill.

He’s only recently moved in properly so no real idea of usage yet. 

Previous owner was on Economy 7. No idea why as house has gas CH. He submitted dual readings so I assume he will be billed for dual rate?

Obviously needs to get onto SVT asap.

There is a single rate SVT and an E7 SVT, I presume you mean you think he needs to move to single rate from E7 asap? If his usage does not warrant E7 then yes, it would be wise to move.

badger09 said:

Can someone please confirm EoNNext must let him move to SVT if requested?

They must let him move to SVT, but I am not sure that is the question you mean to ask, he will be on SVT already. If you mean must they let him move to single rate from E7 then in theory yes, but it depends on the metering situation, if he has a smart meter then they should be able to do it remotely, they may also just accept a the combined figure from both registers or he may need a new meter, there is no timeframe that they have to comply with.

badger09 said:

Hoping to persuade him to switch to Octopus (£50 each & I’m very happy with them)

Is switch easier if on SVT or just switch.?

E7 or not can cause issues, or might not, it depends what kind of meter is in place, no reason why he could not move to Octopus on E7 and have them change it over, though they could have the same issues if a new meter is needed.

badger09 said:

Final question - does anyone know if he can use referral link to switch online or does he have to phone?

At the moment he has to phone.

badger09

@MattMattMattUK
Thank you. 

Yes, I did mean Single rate SVT. Wasn’t even aware there is an E7 SVT. 
He doesn’t have Smart meters though is happy to have them. When you say he might need a new meter, is there any way he can find out? Would he have to pay for a new meter?

EssexHebridean

badger09 said:

@MattMattMattUK
Thank you. 

Yes, I did mean Single rate SVT. Wasn’t even aware there is an E7 SVT. 
He doesn’t have Smart meters though is happy to have them. When you say he might need a new meter, is there any way he can find out? Would he have to pay for a new meter?

Yes - there is, and always has been, an E7 SVT. It's not worked out in the same way as the single rate one is, although since January 1st, on the standard use calculation, it should marry up with the same unit price. 

If he did need a new meter (if the supplier was not content to simply tally up the readings from both registers) then it should be as easy as asking for a smart meter to be installed before looking for them to change him from E7 to Single rate - however in some areas there is a long wait for this at the moment. There won't be a charge though. (if he asks for a meter change specifically to enable the dual rate > single rate change it is possible that they could suggest he would have to pay for this I'm guessing - hence the suggestion to instigate the meter change first as a standard "I'd like a smart meter please" one). 

Gerry1

There's no need to change the meter.  If a potential supplier doesn't want to play ball, just try a different one.  However Octopus are very good so I wouldn't expect them to be unhelpful.

badger09

@EssexHebridean @Gerry1
Thanks both. 

Sounds like the simplest solution would be for him to switch to Octopus, on single rate SVT, then request them to install smart meters. 

Octopus were installing them here, about 10 miles away, September last year. Hopefully they still are. 

EssexHebridean

badger09 said:

@EssexHebridean @Gerry1
Thanks both. 

Sounds like the simplest solution would be for him to switch to Octopus, on single rate SVT, then request them to install smart meters. 

Octopus were installing them here, about 10 miles away, September last year. Hopefully they still are. 

I think he'll need to notify Octopus when he calls them that his meter is currently set for E7 otherwise there will be confusion over the fact that Octopus will need the readings for both registers from him. I think it is likely that they will be obliging about accepting him onto single rate billing though.

Worst case scenario though - switch to Octopus on E7, then request the SM install, then change to single rate as that will then be straightforward. 

badger09

EssexHebridean said:

badger09 said:

@EssexHebridean @Gerry1
Thanks both. 

Sounds like the simplest solution would be for him to switch to Octopus, on single rate SVT, then request them to install smart meters. 

Octopus were installing them here, about 10 miles away, September last year. Hopefully they still are. 

I think he'll need to notify Octopus when he calls them that his meter is currently set for E7 otherwise there will be confusion over the fact that Octopus will need the readings for both registers from him. I think it is likely that they will be obliging about accepting him onto single rate billing though.

Worst case scenario though - switch to Octopus on E7, then request the SM install, then change to single rate as that will then be straightforward. 

Sounds like a plan, thanks. I’ll make sure he reads this thread. 

bristolleedsfan

MattMattMattUK said:

At the moment he has to phone.

All large suppliers B.G.  EDF. OVO. Octopus, SP. Eon Next have reopened online quote pages, can pass on Octopus referral link and sign up to switch online if he or anyone else wishes to do so ....